Shaming Works: TIFF Backpedals, Will Screen Oct. 7 Doc

When journalists do their job right, good things happen.

They hold politicians accountable, reveal scandals that deserve the light of day and, in the case of the arts, protect free speech principles.

Consider how Amazon briefly blocked the 2020 documentary “What Killed Michael Brown?” for absurd reasons. A few major media stories on the matter later, and the mega-company changed course.

Amazon Buckles, Agrees to Stream ‘What Killed Michael Brown?’ https://t.co/WNUFJA5q5c pic.twitter.com/A6eZJ5QdsG

— Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) October 23, 2020

We’re seeing something similar in the film festival world this week. The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) yanked a timely documentary from this year’s slate of titles. 

“The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue” chronicles the heroism of former IDF General Noam Tibon on Oct. 7, 2023. Tibon helped save his family and neighbors during the terrorist attack that murdered 1,200 people and took 251 others as hostages.

He shared his remarkable story last year on “60 Minutes.”

TIFF reportedly claimed the film didn’t have permission to share Hamas-shot footage of the terrorist assault.

Really?

Really.

RELATED: ARE CRITICS SHUNNING ‘SCREAMS BEFORE SILENCE?’

The reaction was quick and powerful. Legacy Media outlets, which often ignore censorship-related issues that target Jewish stars or themes, pounced and seized on the story.

TIFF backpedaled within hours, suggesting the festival would examine the situation and see if the matter could be resolved. Now, less than 48 hours after the imbroglio started, Team TIFF found a way.

Festival CEO Cameron Bailey denied the cancellation was due to any censorship issue. The general public may come to a different conclusion.

Either way, TIFF was shamed into showing the film, and the story has a happy ending. That’s assuming any pro-Palestinian protests tied to the eventual screening don’t devolve into violence.

Wendy Sachs, the director of “October 8,” adds another wrinkle to the story. She claims TIFF staffers refused to work if “The Road Between Us” played at the festival.

Please see the following Instagram posts by “October 8” film director, Wendy Sachs.

“The truth is that TIFF staffers refused to work if this film about a grandfather rescuing his family on Oct 7 was shown at TIFF.” https://t.co/GUiovTKOfC pic.twitter.com/GUx8NweEvR

— Tali Goldsheft (@TaliGoldsheft) August 14, 2025

The bigger message remains clear.

Shining a light on censorship-like efforts can make them less likely to occur. It’s one reason HiT is invested in sharing similar tales involving Jewish artists.

Few news sites, outside of Jewish publications, have spent time covering artists canceled for their beliefs. Think Michael Rapaport, singer Matisyahu and author Brett Gelman. All have endured cancellations because they’re either Jewish, support the state of Israel or both.

My show tonight at the Stardome in Alabama was CANCELLED.
I did not cancel. I would never cancel—especially since I’m already here in Birmingham, ready to perform.
It was shut down because of protests and threats over my support for Israel and for speaking up about the 50… pic.twitter.com/5XyV9Qtkkv

— MichaelRapaport (@MichaelRapaport) August 5, 2025

Those stories earned a smattering of media attention, nothing more. Few outlets have connected the vital dots on the subject. Said dots must be connected, and they extend to TIFFgate.

Reporters can affect real change by covering stories that deserve to be shared. It happened with “The Road Between Us.” It’ll likely come up again sooner or later.

Powerful forces don’t want people to see certain stories, and they’re willing to push back, hard, to ensure they get silenced.

A little media attention can go a long way to upending their plans.