After getting canceled and then reinstated, the Oct. 7 rescue movie The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue had a surprise ending when, on Sunday, it won the People’s Choice Award for best documentary at the Toronto Film Festival (TIFF).
Canadian director Barry Avrich’s documentary depicts retired IDF general Noam Tibon’s efforts to rescue his son from Kibbutz Nir Oz amid the October 7 attacks.
TIFF organizers first invited Avrich’s film for the festival, and then disinvited it, only to then reinstate the film after an outcry from the Canadian Jewish community and politicians and influencers in Israel.
The documentary had previously been deleted from TIFF’s schedule over alleged security and rights concerns, a decision that drew criticism from politicians, Jewish organizations, and industry figures. The festival reinstated the film days later, and TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey apologized for the cancellation.
The Road Between Us only screened once before Toronto
Unlike other films at the festival, The Road Between Us was screened only once, before a predominantly pro-Israel, 1,800-strong audience, who gave it a standing ovation.
“To win this award is thrilling for Mark and I. The audience voted and I appreciate that. And we look forward to the rest of this journey,” Avrich said while accepting the trophy alongside producer Mark Selby.
“And Cameron, thank you. I appreciate everything that TIFF has done for us,” Avrich added.
The Road Between Us will be mostly self-released on around 125 screens in more than 20 cities throughout North America beginning October 3.