The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) will proceed with screening a documentary on the 2023 Hamas attack after reversing its earlier decision to withdraw the film, following public backlash.
Earlier this week, TIFF pulled “The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue” from its lineup, citing legal clearance issues over some footage, including Hamas militants’ own livestreams of the attack.
On Thursday, TIFF chief executive Cameron Bailey and filmmaker Barry Avrich released a joint statement confirming the film’s reinstatement.
“Both TIFF and the filmmakers have heard the pain and frustration expressed by the public and we want to address this together,” they said. “We have worked together to find a resolution to satisfy important safety, legal, and programming concerns.”
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They also acknowledged that TIFF’s communication about its requirements “did not clearly articulate the concerns and roadblocks that arose,” and apologized.
The documentary follows retired Israeli Gen. Noam Tibon’s mission to rescue his family and others during the Oct. 7, 2023 attack — a story previously featured on “60 Minutes.”
After the film was initially dropped, its creators accused TIFF of self-censorship. Bailey denied this and stressed the need for sensitivity given the ongoing suffering in Gaza and rising antisemitism and Islamophobia.
TIFF, North America’s largest film festival, runs from Sept. 4–14.
Souce: Agency