After a wave of public criticism, the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has pivoted on its decision to exclude the documentary The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue from its 2025 lineup. TIFF officials have announced efforts to work with the film’s producers toward a possible reinstatement.
TIFF Chief Executive Cameron Bailey issued a public statement saying the festival still intends to include the documentary—directed by Barry Avrich—once legal requirements are met. He emphasized that the film, which profiles Major General (ret.) Noam Tibon’s rescue efforts during the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, is important and deserves to be part of the festival’s programming.
Bailey rejected claims of censorship as “unequivocally false,” adding, “I have asked our legal team to work with the filmmaker on considering all options available.”
TIFF had originally removed the documentary from its schedule, citing the filmmakers’ failure to secure legal clearance for sensitive footage, including livestreams recorded by Hamas. The festival argued that such clearance was necessary to protect TIFF from potential copyright disputes and disruptions during an event featuring sensitive subject matter.
The removal sparked strong criticism from across Canada. Two Toronto city councillors called it “a moral failure”, accusing TIFF of prioritizing political concerns over artistic freedom. Jewish community groups also condemned the move, saying it marginalized narratives of trauma and heroism tied to the October 7 events.
