The Toronto International Film Festival has reversed its decision and will move ahead with the screening of a documentary on Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel, after initially pulling it over footage rights concerns.
The festival had faced swift backlash over reports that The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue would be dropped. Organizers originally said the film used Hamas-shot footage without obtaining permission from the group, which holds the rights.
In a statement Wednesday, TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey pushed back against suggestions the move amounted to censorship. “I want to be clear: Claims that the film was rejected due to censorship are unequivocally false,” he said. Bailey added he was committed to working with the filmmaker to meet the festival’s screening requirements and had asked TIFF’s legal team to explore all available options.
The decision marks a sharp turnaround for the festival, which will now ensure the documentary is shown this year.