Overview

• TIFF pulled its invitation to Barry Avrich’s The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue after the filmmakers failed to meet conditions on legal clearance for all footage, a letter of indemnification, insurance and a pre‐screening requirement.
• Organizers said the measures were intended to shield TIFF from legal liability and address security concerns over graphic Hamas livestream footage lacking clear permission.
• Filmmakers accused TIFF of censorship and vowed to distribute the film independently, rejecting the festival’s rationale as a pretext to silence survivors’ stories.
• Jewish advocacy groups, Toronto city councillors and Canadian officials condemned the withdrawal, demanding TIFF reverse its decision to include the film in the festival lineup.
• Negotiations will focus on securing rights for Hamas-sourced footage and establishing enhanced security protocols ahead of TIFF’s 50th edition, scheduled for Sept. 4–14, 2025.