TORONTO — The Toronto International Film Festival says it pulled Barry Avrich’s documentary about Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attacks in Israel over a footage rights issue and security concerns, but the filmmaking team calls the move censorship.
Festival organizers said Tuesday they withdrew the Canadian director's film, "The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue," after initially offering it a spot in its upcoming 50th edition, citing unmet conditions including “legal clearance of all footage.”
The film follows retired Israeli general Noam Tibon’s mission to rescue his family during the Hamas attacks, during which 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 hostages were taken.
TIFF told the Associated Press that when they invited the film to screen at this year's festival it made several requirements of the filmmakers. It said those measures were meant to protect the festival from legal implications and to manage “anticipated and known risks” tied to screening a film about “highly sensitive subject matter,” including the potential for “significant disruption.”
But the documentary's team said in a statement they are “shocked and saddened that a venerable film festival has defied its mission and censored its own programming by refusing this film.”
They said films should encourage debate "from every perspective" and that the festival should let the audience decide what they will or won't see.
A source close to the production said TIFF imposed “extraordinary conditions” on the documentary, including changing its original title, "Out of Nowhere: The Ultimate Rescue," and making "editorial changes specifically identifying horrific footage that was livestreamed by Hamas on October 7th, 2023."
According to the source, the festival also demanded that the filmmakers secure errors and omissions insurance naming TIFF as an insured party.
In addition, the team was required to provide a letter of indemnification, a legal reporting letter and arrange for added security at the screening.
TIFF did not respond to requests for comment and Avrich declined requests for an interview.
Reports about the film being disinvited stirred a strong outcry from members of the Jewish community.
"This shameful decision sends an unmistakable message: Toronto’s Jewish community, which has long played an integral role at TIFF, is no longer safe or welcome," said Noah Shack, CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, in a statement.
"This should concern all Canadians and marks a stain on the festival’s reputation. TIFF must reverse this decision immediately."
Ontario's minister of culture Stan Cho said in a statement posted online that he reached out to TIFF to better understand their decision, and was "troubled" that they didn't want to discuss the matter beyond sharing a statement.
Cho said he spoke with Israel's ambassador to Canada about the film's exclusion from the lineup, reiterating that the government condemns the Hamas attacks.
"We appreciate the necessity for art to be independent of government interference," Cho said.
However, he added TIFF should "further its dialogue with the Jewish community and other stakeholders to better understand their concerns."
Toronto city councillors James Pasternak and Brad Bradford issued a joint statement urging TIFF to reverse its "misguided decision," with Pasternak adding that an investigation should be launched if the festival doesn't comply.
Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed more than 60,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Aid groups say starvation in Gaza is rampant with news outlets including The Associated Press publishing photos of emaciated children in the region. More than 5,000 children were diagnosed with malnutrition this month, though the true number is likely higher, the U.N. says.
The Montreal-born Avrich has had a decades-long career as a documentary filmmaker, often focusing on high-profile personalities, including 2023's "Oscar Peterson: Black + White," which won a Canadian Screen Award for best documentary. Several of his films have premiered at TIFF, including 2019's "David Foster: Off the Record," offering an intimate look at the Canadian music producer.
The team behind "The Road Between Us" says it will still release the film and that it will be distributed by Cineplex in Canada.
"We are not political filmmakers, nor are we activists; we are storytellers," they said.
"We remain defiant, we will release the film, and we invite audiences, broadcasters, and streamers to make up their own mind, once they have seen it.”
TIFF runs from Sept. 4 to 14.
Last year, the festival faced ongoing protests and security concerns over another documentary, "Russians at War," that ultimately led to cancelled screenings.
In a recent interview with The Canadian Press, those filmmakers expressed concern at how easily freedom of expression can be suppressed when a film is seen as controversial.
-With files from The Associated Press
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 13, 2025.
Alex Nino Gheciu, The Canadian Press
