An October 7 documentary that film festival organizers tried to silence emerged victorious Sunday at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival.
“The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue” chronicles the extraordinary rescue mission of retired Israeli general Noam Tibon, who drove from Tel Aviv to save his family trapped at Kibbutz Nahal Oz during the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attacks. Tibon’s son Amir, a journalist for Haaretz, had called his father from the kibbutz safe room where he was hiding with his wife and two young daughters as Hamas terrorists roamed outside.
The 62-year-old grandfather and his wife Gali encountered scenes of devastation on their journey south, stopping to help wounded Israeli soldiers and survivors fleeing the Nova music festival massacre before the retired general fought through the kibbutz to reach his family
But the path to winning the People’s Choice Documentary Award was anything but smooth. Just weeks before the festival, TIFF organizers withdrew the film’s invitation, citing concerns that filmmakers lacked rights to use Hamas footage of the attacks. Critics immediately saw through what they viewed as a flimsy excuse for politically motivated censorship. More than 1,000 entertainment professionals signed an open letter alleging the move was “appeasing anti-Israel and antisemitic activists intent to silence Jewish voices.”
Under mounting pressure, TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey reversed the decision just one day later on August 14, saying they would work together to “find a resolution to satisfy important safety, legal, and programming concerns.” Bailey later privately admitted to Avrich that pulling the movie was a “mistake,” according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Once the trophy was in hand, chose the high road. “Cameron, thank you. I appreciate everything that TIFF has done for us,” Avrich said, addressing Bailey from the Lightbox stage. Producer Mark Selby struck a similar note in his remarks, saying “I hope that all the filmmakers of this festival feel as supported as Barry and I did during this whole process.”
The People’s Choice Documentary Award has historically served as an important bellwether for awards season, making the victory especially meaningful after the film’s rocky road to screening. Distribution plans are already in motion, with “The Road Between Us” set for theatrical release October 3 across 125 screens in more than 20 North American cities to mark the approaching second anniversary of the Hamas massacre.
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