The Toronto International Film Festival has withdrawn its invitation to screen “The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue,” a Canadian documentary directed by Barry Avrich, citing unmet conditions including “legal clearance of all footage” and concerns about the potential for significant disruption at the event. The decision was conveyed on 13 August, three weeks before TIFF’s 50th edition opens on 4 September. Avrich’s film follows retired Israeli General Noam Tibon, who drove from Tel Aviv to Kibbutz Nahal Oz to rescue his family and other civilians during Hamas’ 7 October 2023 assault on southern Israel, an attack that left roughly 1,200 people dead and more than 250 taken hostage. A central sticking point involves the documentary’s use of body-camera video livestreamed by Hamas militants; festival lawyers requested explicit proof the material was cleared for use. The filmmakers say the festival is engaging in censorship, arguing that the images are already in the public domain and fall under fair-dealing provisions. They add that they supplied errors-and-omissions insurance naming TIFF, an indemnification letter and offers of extra security. Despite the setback, the team plans to release the film in Canadian cinemas through Cineplex and pursue broader distribution. Jewish advocacy organisations and several Canadian politicians condemned TIFF’s decision. The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs called it “unconscionable,” while Ontario’s Minister of Culture Stan Cho said he was “troubled” by the move and sought further explanation from festival leaders. Two Toronto city councillors urged the festival to reverse course or face an inquiry. The controversy echoes last year’s protests over the Ukrainian war documentary “Russians at War,” whose screenings were curtailed after security threats. TIFF’s leadership now must balance legal liability and public safety against rising scrutiny over cultural gatekeeping as the festival approaches its milestone anniversary.