In a dramatic U-turn, the Toronto International Film Festival has said it will now show a documentary about Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel, while issuing a groveling apology for originally yanking the film.
“We are pleased to share that The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue will be an official TIFF selection at the festival this year, where we believe it will contribute to the vital conversations that film is meant to inspire,” the joint statement from TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey and filmmaker Barry Avrich read.
“In this case, TIFF’s communication around its requirements did not clearly articulate the concerns and roadblocks that arose and for that, we are sorry,” the statement continued.
Militants transport a reportedly captured Israeli woman via motorcycle in the Gaza strip. AFP via Getty Images
A sign for the Toronto International Film Festival. TOimages – stock.adobe.comMore details about the world premiere for the movie, which had been booted out of the festival for using footage taken by Hamas fighters without the terror group’s permission, are still to come.
The front page of the New York Post on Thursday, August 14, 2025.
“We look forward to announcing more details including the World Premiere date on August 20th,” the statement concluded.
Vlada Patapov at the Tribe of Nova music festival runs during the terrorist attack on October 7, 2023.
Militants drives back to the Gaza strip with the body of an Israeli soldier on October 7, 2023. APTIFF will take place between Sept. 4 and Sept. 14.
“Both TIFF and the filmmakers have heard the pain and frustration expressed by the public and we want to address this together,” the statement continued, concluding a bitter dispute between the festival and the movie’s creators.
A house left in ruins after an attack by Hamas militants. Getty ImagesIt follows a bitter back-and-forth between the festival organizers and the filmmakers.
TIFF had denied that the decision not to screen the movie was due to censorship, but said Thursday that festival leadership would “ensure” the film would be added back to the lineup.
Avrich’s movie tells the story of retired Israeli general Noam Tibon, who worked to save his family and rescue wounded music festival attendees on Oct. 7, 2023.
At last year’s festival, TIFF pulled a film called “Russians at War” from the lineup, after the documentary covering Russian soldiers in Ukraine was branded pro-Putin propaganda by protesters.
