From the Liveblog of
Thursday, August 14, 2025
After outcry, Toronto film fest says it wants to reinstate pulled October 7 documentary
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The CEO of the Toronto International Film Festival says he is working to get a documentary about the October 7 massacre back on the big screen, apologizing after the movie was pulled from the festival schedule, which sparked a large outcry.
“My intention was to screen ‘The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue,’ which is why I extended the invitation for the film to participate in this year’s festival,” Cameron Bailey says in a statement. “Given the sensitive and significant nature of the film’s subject, I believe that it tells an important story and contributes to the rich tapestry of perspectives in our lineup – stories that resonate both here at home and around the world.”
“I remain committed to working with the filmmaker to meet TIFF’s screening requirements to allow the film to be screened at this year’s festival. I have asked our legal team to work with the filmmaker on considering all options available,” he says.
Bailey rejects claims that the film was being censored as “unequivocally false.”
Please see the following statement from TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey regarding The Road Between Us. pic.twitter.com/Qg9D7p3KEZ
— TIFF (@TIFF_NET) August 13, 2025
“The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue” tells the story of Maj. Gen. (res.) Noam Tibon, who set out to save his son, journalist Amir Tibon, and his son’s family as they were attacked by Hamas-led terrorists at their home on Kibbutz Nahal Oz on October 7, 2023.
The movie features footage taken from the cameras of terrorists, who filmed their atrocities as they marauded through Israeli communities. On Wednesday, figures connected to the film said they had been told it was pulled due to ostensible copyright concerns stemming from the fact that the filmmakers did not receive permission from the Hamas terrorists whose clips are used.
The decision to pull the screening drew protests from Israel’s Foreign Ministry as well as The Canadian Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs.
In the statement, Bailey requests “patience and understanding as we navigate this complex landscape.”
The Times of Israel Community.