August 2025

Entertainment leaders from around the globe including Amy Schumer, Debra Messing, Mayim Bialik, Jerry O’Connell, Howie Mandel, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Sherry Lansing, Haim Saban, Rebecca De Mornay, Rick Rosen, Gary Barber, Ben Silverman amongst many others, call on accountability from TIFF

LOS ANGELES, August 15, 2025 — More than 1000 entertainment leaders signed an open letter released by the non-profit entertainment industry organization Creative Community For Peace (CCFP) critiquing the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)’s handling of the film, The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue.

The letter comes in response to TIFF “disinviting” the film and then following public backlash, offering to “work with the filmmakers” to meet screening requirements. It’s clear that this was never about legal rights to footage, but rather appeasing anti-Israel and antisemitic activists’ intent to silence Jewish voices.

TIFF’s attempt to disinvite the documentary is part of a growing trend of silencing Jewish and Israeli voices under the excuse of “security concerns.” Rather than standing steadfast against violent intimidation and protecting filmmakers, TIFF gave cover to those who make threats.

TIFF’s attempt to disinvite the film coincides with an explosion of antisemitism in Canada. In 2024, despite making up 1% of the population, Jewish people were the group most targeted by hate crimes in Canada. The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue is not a political film. If focuses on a heroic story of Jewish survival. Based on their reporting around TIFF’s decision to include the film in the festival, it appears the story of Jewish survival is deemed controversial to many within TIFF.

Co-Founders of MRC, Modi Wizyck and Asif Satchu, said: “TIFF has championed AMERICAN FICTION, FAIR PLAY, KNIVES OUT and THE BLACKENING, some of MRC’s most provocative and complex films. We are glad that TIFF has reconsidered to ensure that the festival continues to be a haven for art and artists that embody diverse perspectives – especially on contentious topics.”

The letter highlights previous communications given by TIFF leadership that they’d stand firm in the face of political pressures, stating: “Last year, Creative Community for Peace and other entertainment industry leaders urged TIFF leadership to provide a platform for Israeli and Israeli-themed projects. TIFF leadership “assured” us they would do so “even in difficult times like this.” That assurance was apparently a lie.”

CCFP Executive Director Ari Ingel said, “This incident is not an anomaly—it is part of a disturbing pattern that has emerged since October 7th, in which Israeli and Jewish creatives in film, television, music, sports, and literature are confronted with barriers no other community is made to face. The deliberate effort to marginalize and silence Jewish voices in the arts worldwide is intolerable, and it cannot be allowed to persist.”

The letter states: “While the film has been reinstated after a significant public backlash, the festival still has not offered a sincere apology or explanation for the harm it created for the Jewish community.”

A spokesperson from The Brigade said, “While TIFF’s choice to initially allow hate to prevail and undermined its own stated mission “to present transformative film experiences that enlighten, enrich understanding, and foster empathy and foster an environment of constructive and respectful dialogue” was egregious, It was also encouraging to see such a diverse set of voices come together to ensure that the film gets a worthy premiere. The Brigade will continue to work in collaboration with many others that support filmmakers who are facing these challenges, to ensure that other festivals practice real inclusion and that these actions are not normalized.”

The letter concludes: “We call on the Board of Directors to question the leadership of TIFF, to platform Israeli voices moving forward, and to choose dialogue over exclusion and peace over prejudice.”

Signatories Include:

Amy Schumer, Actress; Debra Messing, Actress; Mayim Bialik, Actress; Sherry Lansing, Former CEO of Paramount Pictures; Rebecca De Mornay, Actress; Jennifer Jason Leigh, Actress; Howie Mandel, TV Host; Jerry O’Connell, Actor; Gary Barber, Chairman and CEO, Spyglass Media Group; Ben Silverman; Chairman & Co-CEO, Propagate Content; Haim Saban, Chairman and CEO, Saban Capital Group; Modi Wiczyk, Co-Founder, MRC; Michael Rotenberg, Partner, 3 Arts Entertainment; Nancy Mendelson Gates, Agent, Partner, UTA; Susan Rovner, Former Chairman of NBCUniversal Television and Streaming; Jonathan Baruch, President, Rain Management Group; Marty Singer, Attorney, Lavely and Singer; Patti Felker, Felker Toczek Suddleson Abramson McGinnis Ryan; Fred Toczek, Partner, Felker Toczek Suddleson Abramson McGinnis Ryan; Jacob Fenton, Partner, United Talent Agency; Nancy Spielberg, Producer;  Rick Rosen, Co-Founder, Endeavor;  Fernando Szew, CEO, FOX Entertainment Global; David Kohan, Showrunner and Executive Producer; Blair Kohan, Partner and Board Member, United Talent Agency; Julie Greenwald, Former CEO/Chairperson Atlantic Records Group; Emmanuelle Chriqui, Actress; Todd Moscowitz, Founder and CEO of Alamo Records and Santa Anna Label Group; David Draiman, Artist;  Danny Cohen, President of Access Entertainment; Kevin Yorn, Attorney; Tracy Ann Oberman, Actress and Playwright;  Orly Marley, President, Tuff Gong Worldwide; Ryan Kavanaugh, Relativity Media; Matisyahu, Artist; Lawrence Bender, Producer; Howard Owen, Founder and Co-CEO of Propagate Content; David Renzer, Former Chairman/CEO Universal Music Publishing; Erik Feig, CEO Picturestart; Neil Blair, Partner, The Blair Partnership; John Ondrasik, Five for Fighting; Leo Pearlman, Co-CEO, Fulwell Entertainment; Patty Jenkins; Director, and over 1000 others, a full list can be seen below.

FULL OPEN LETTER

We, the undersigned members of the entertainment industry, are deeply concerned about the Toronto International Film Festival’s (TIFF) initial decision to disinvite the documentary The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue, and its subsequent communications. This is the only documentary scheduled for this year’s program that puts forward Israel’s narrative.

This follows the 2024 festival, which likewise didn’t platform a single Israeli documentary that didn’t disparage the country. In contrast, TIFF 2024 featured three anti-Israel documentaries, with four more slated for 2025.

Last year, Creative Community for Peace and other entertainment industry leaders urged TIFF leadership to provide a platform for Israeli and Israeli-themed projects. TIFF leadership “assured” us they would do so “even in difficult times like this.” That assurance was apparently a lie.

Not only did TIFF omit The Road Between Us from the initial slate announcement, but TIFF pressured its filmmakers to change the film’s title—only to then cancel its participation.

While the film has been reinstated after a significant public backlash, the festival has not offered a sincere apology or explanation for the harm it created for the Jewish community.

Furthermore, the initial claim that the project couldn’t be screened because the filmmakers didn’t have the rights to footage Hamas – a Canadian designated terrorist group, broadcast to the world on October 7, 2023, when they massacred, raped, brutalized, and kidnaped thousands of innocent people from toddlers to Holocaust survivors — strains credibility.

As did the claim that the cancellation was for security reasons—when anti-Israel productions face no such barrier and instead of ensuring a safe environment, TIFF caved to these violent demands that only increased a sense that the Jews of Canada don’t count.

This incident was clearly a surrender to an antisemitic campaign determined to silence Jewish and Israeli voices, at a time when antisemitism in Canada is surging to historic levels. TIFF’s decisions this past week have only deepened and legitimized that hostility.

Documentaries and Film Festivals have the power to affect lives and effect positive change in the world. They can bridge cultural divides and bring people together through a shared love of the arts.

We call on the Board of Directors to question the leadership of TIFF, to platform Israeli voices moving forward, and to choose dialogue over exclusion and peace over prejudice.

** Note – The signers of this statement do so as individuals on their own behalf and not on behalf of their companies or organizations. All organizations and companies listed are for affiliation purposes only.

To add your name to this letter, you can do so here: [Link]

SIGNATORIES

Ari Ingel, Executive Director, CCFP

Rakefet Abergel, Director

Dariel Abramowitz, Publicist, Ivy PR

Stuart Acher, Director

Marty Adelstein, CEO, Tomorrow Studios

Dan Adler, Producer

Debbie Adler, Head of Commercial, Garden Studios

Rachel Adler, Talent Agent

Shir Aharon, Talent Manager

Michael Ross Albert, Writer

Kayla Alpert, Exec Producer, Netflix

Michael Altman, Rigging Supervisor, Walt Disney Animation Studios

Maya Amrami, Set designer, Eugene Wolf – Teeamim

Ellen Ancui, President/Director/Writer, Ain’t No Lady Productions

Tom Appelbaum, Writer

Neta Ariel, Director, Maaleh Film School

JoJo Arkin, Writer

Susie Arons, President, 42 West

Brian Ash, Producer and Writer, Freedomland

Noel Ashman, Film Producer/Director, Noel Ashman Entertainment

Ricki Askin, Founder, Music Agency

Anne-Marie Asner, Co-Founder, Animation Israel

Eve Attermann, Literary Agent, WME

Michael Auerbach, Partner, Jackoway Austen

Peter Avery, Director Of Theater, NYC schools

Jordan Bahat, Director

Liane Balaban, Actor/Writer

Efrat Baler-Moses, Artist, Efrat Baler ART

Andrea Ballas, VP of Comms, CBS/Paramount

Craig Balsam, Music Exec/Poducer, RT Industries

Maya Bar-Lev, Producer, ESPN

Avivit Bar-Yosef, Filmmaker

Don Barak, Writer-Director

Gary Barber, Executive

Paul Barkin, Producer, Alcina Pictures

Eve Barlow, Journalist/Owner of Blacklisted

Elana Barry, Manager, TV Lit, Circle Of Confusion

Jonathan Baruch, President, Rain

Hili Baruch Stern, Actor

Austin Basis, Actor

Richard Baskind, Lawyer/Partner, Simons Muirhead Burton

Judy Batalion, Writer

Aron Baumel, Partner, GGSSC

Noemie Becache, International sales

Dusan Becker, Costume Designer

Rinne Becker, Arts Professor, NYU

Aton Ben-Horin, EVP, A&R, Warner Music Group / CEO, Plush Management

Gloria Benaim, Owner, GBE

Rachel Bendavid, Producer

Lawrence Bender, Producer, Lawrence Bender Productions

Shaked Berenson, CEO, Studio Dome

Adam Berkowitz, President and owner, Lenore Entertainment Grouo

Zack Bernbaum, Director, Producer

Mayim Bialik, Actor, Writer, Director, Sad Clown Productions

Sharon Bialy, Casting Director, Bialy/Thomas & Associates

Joyce Billet, Artist

Allison Binder, Partner, GGSS&C, LLP

Josh Binder, Founding Partner, Rothenberg, Mohr & Binder LLP

Benjamin Black, Founder/Director, Blacklarke Consulting

Catherine Black, Actor-Director

Morgan Blackbyrne, Actor, Morgan Blackbyrne

Neil Blair, Founder, The Blair Partnership

Elena Blekhter, Principal/Executive Producer, Bold Beautiful Productions

Marion Blinkoff, Producer, Life of Awesome LLC

Saul Blinkoff, Director/Executive Producer, Life of Awesome LLC

Remy Bohrer, Film/TV Development

John Ross Bowie, Actor

Judy Bowman, Casting Director

Dan Brecher, Principal/Partner, Rothman Brecher Ehrich Livingston

Maria Breese, Owner, 3:33 Creative Productions

Anthony Bregman, Producer, Likely Story

Josh Breslaw, Manager, Parallel Skies Records

Salome Breziner, Filmmaker, SEMBLANCE

Kevin Bright, Producer/Director, Just Bright Films

Sydney Bright, Head of Global Animation

Steve Brill, Director/writer

Lee Broda, Producer and CEO, LB Entertainment

Alex Brody, Producer’s Assistant, EGX Film Factory

Laura Brody, Costume Designer

Andrew Bronfman, Producer, Beyond the Frame

Jonathan Bronfman, Producer/AI/VFX, MARZ

Hallie Brookman, Agent, United Talent Agency

Eric Brooks, Partner, GGSSC, LLP

Harvey Brown, Director

Mark Brown, Writer

David Buchalter, Agent

Andy Buckley, Actor

Osnat Bukofzer, Director of International Affairs, Israel Cinema Project Rabinovich Foundation

Bruce Burger, Music Producer

Daisy Burnham, Manager

Lori Burns, PR

Janice Burstein,, Black Box Pictures

Marc Butan, President/CEO, Mad River Pictures

Richard Butchins, Producer/Director

Michal Butel, CEO, Hop! Media Group

David Byrnes, Attorney, Ziffren Brittenham

J.R. Cacia, Actor

Emily Cameron, Manager

Sarah Camlett, Agent

Geoffrey Cantor, Actor/Director

Talia Cantor, 2nd AD Film / TV

Juan Javier Cardenas, Actor

Michele Carlisle, Executive Producer, Epiphany Productions

Civia Caroline, Consultant, CLiC Impact Entertainment

Robin Carus, Casting Director, Robin Carus Casting

David Caspi, Journalist

Rudin Causi, Production Designer, Kino Art Collective

Melissa Center, Actor/Filmmaker

David Chesnoff, Lawyer, Chesnoff and Schonfeld

Lionel Chetwynd, Writer/Director/Producer

Emmanuelle Chriqui, Actor/ Producer

Barri Cohen, Filmmaker, Writer-Producer, Cave Bear Creative Inc.

Conrad Cohen, Theatre Director

Danny Cohen, President, Access Entertainment

Elizabeth Cohen, Creative Executive, Amazon

Gary Cohen, Writer/Filmmaker

Janet Cohen, Stand Up comedian

Nancy Cohen, Writer/Producer

Neil Cohen, Founder, 1948 Talent

Tanya Cohen, Manager, Range

Alex Cole, Makeup artist, Fl.aw.less

Chris Collins, Film Producer, Purposeful Pictures

Nina Colman, Writer

Leanne Coronel, Manager, The Coronel Group

Ben Cosgrove, CEO, Leviathan Productions

Caitlin Cronenberg, Director

Ophira Dagan, Producer

Robin Davids, Publicity, Sony

Howard Davine, COO, Wiip Productions

David Davis, President/General Counsel, Barrister & Solicitor

Doug Davis, Founder, The Davis Firm

Mirelle Davis, Artist Manager, wind up bird ltd

Shula Daws, Development Producer, Plum Pictures

Will Daws, MD, Plum Pictures

Rebecca De Mornay, Actor

Danielle Del, Partner/Owner, D2 Management

Shai DeLuca-Onofre, On Air Presenter, SDID

Jamie Denbo, Writer/Producer/Actor

Larry Deutchman, Owner/Producer, Great Escape Entertainment

Ken Deutsch, Global Co-Chair, Entertainment & Media Group, Paul Hastings LLP

Kayla Diamond, Producer / Label President, Kolossal Records

Michael Diamond, Talent Manager/Partner, Range Media

Amit Divekar, Actor

Rachel Douglas, Manager, Range

Brian Drach, Music Attorney, Lewis Brisbois

Chen Drachman, Writer/Actor/Producer

Tal Drori, Agent, KEY Talent Management

Jeremy Drysdale, Screenwriter

Ellen Dubin, Actor/Producer, Dubin Productions

Linda Edell Howard, Owner/ Entertainment Attorney, Edell Howard Enterprises

Neal Edelstein, Producer

J Einhorn, Effects Animator, wdas

Ori Eisen, Executive Producer, Original Films

Sharon Eisenberg-Cytrynbaum, Writer-Producer, Playfully Posh Pixels

Josh Eiserike, Writer

Jason Eisner, Producer, Play Practice Productions

Jessica Elbaum, President, Gloria Sanchez Productions

Ellis Elias, Chairman, The Broadley Entainment Group Ltd

Hillary Ellis, Studio Owner, HDC

Jamie Elman, Performer, YidLife Crisis

Craig Emanuel, Production Executive, The Kid From Downunder Inc.

Amy Engelberg, Writer/Producer

Wendy Engelberg, Writer/Producer

Emma Engers, Talent Agent/MD, Emma Engers Associates

Hannah Epstein, Agent, CAA

Jane Epstein, Agent

Nimrod Erez, Producer Director, The October 8 Foundation

Antoine Erligmann, SVP Content Distribution & Licensing, Animaj

Samantha Ettus, Author and Producer

Jonathan Evans, Professor of Theater and Cinema, Los Angeles Pierce College

Rami Even-Esh, Rapper/Comic/Film Maker, Kosha Dillz

David Evenchick, Partner, United Talent Agency

Charles Evered, Writer/Director, Ordinance 14

Adi Ezroni, Producer, Faraway Road

David Faigenblum, Producer, Concept Entertainment

Sharon Farber, Film composer, Score by Score Music

Abbe Feder, Actor/CFO, Forever Beatrice Films, Inc

Isaac Feder, Director

Avi Federgreen, Producer/Director, Federgreen Entertainment Inc.

Eric Feig, Entertainment Attorney, Feig/Finkel LLP

Yael Feingold, Theater Director

David Feldman, Lawyer

Ryan Feldman, Agent, Senior Partner, WME

Patti Felker, Partner, Felker Toczek Suddleson McGinnis Ryan LLP

Rotem Fenichel, Filmmaker

Jacob Fenton, Partner, UTA

Ken Fermaglich, Agent Partner, UTA

Neil Ferris, Music Executive, Brilliant!

Samantha Fetner, Publicist

Mark Feuerstein, Actor, Can’t get five productions

Joel Fields, Writer/Producer

Andrew Fine, Partner, Novel TMT Capital

Tommy Finkelstein, General Counsel, Head of Business Affairs, IAG

Shalom Fisch, Educational TV content consultant

David Fisher, Director/Producer

Scott Fisher, Chairman, Select Management Group

Seth Fisher, Writer

Katie Flutie, VP, Disney

Seth Fradkoff, Publicity Principal, Amazon MGM Studios

Jordanna Fraiberg, Writer/Producer, Iron Butterfly

Alex Frank, Head of Sales & Marketing, 237 Global

Jennifer Freed, Artist Manager

Marcus Freed, President, Jewish Filmmakers Network

Jessica Freedman, Producer, Mile Zero Productions

Jody Friedericks, Head of Global Creative, 160over90 / WME Group

Adam Friedman, Executive, CAA

Emily Friedman, Director, FPM

Alexa Frisch, Producer

Sara Fruman, Founder, Soul Evolution Media

Marc Frydman, Producer, Perfection Hunter

Roderick Gadaev, Film Director, RodAndCo Productions

Rachel Gaffin, Actor

George Gallagher, Actor

Siri Garber, CEO, Platform Public Relations

Hailey Gardiner, Dancer/Dance Educator/Choreographer

Jason Gardner, Manager, Coast Oak LLC

Hannah Garfield, Artist

Rachel Garfield, Academic, Professor of Fine Art, Royal College of Art

David Gassman, CCO, Mammoth Creative Inc

Nancy Mendelson Gates, Partner, UTA

Andrew Genger, Manager, Red Light Management

Rick Genow, Lawyer, GGSSC

Tchavdar Georgiev, Documentary Filmmaker

Iris Gilad, Actor

Maya Giladi, Business Affairs

Gary Gilbert, CEO, Gilbert Films

Jamie Gilcig, Writer/Producer

Gary Ginsberg, Partner, 25madison

Sophie Giterman, Broker of Record, Easy List Realty LTD

Shana Glassman, Co-Founder, The Golda Project

Harvey Glazer, Director/Producer, The Different

Bryan Glick, President, GQue Films

Jordan Glickson, VP, Music & Talent, Vevo

Michael Glogauer, Professor

Ross Golan, President, Unknown Music Publishing

Rue Golan, Music Manager, 929music

Gina Gold, Writer/Producer, Gold Ink, Ltd.

Jake Gold, CEO

Daniel Goldenberg, Principal, Goldenberg & Company

Jennifer Goldhar, President/Talent Agent, Characters Talent Agency

Michael Goldsheft, Designer/Art Director, M. Goldsheft Designs

David Goldsmith, Writer

Alexander Goldstein, Director of Production, Atlas Media Corp

Bram Goldstein, CEO, BIG HQ INC

Lindy Goldstein, Producer, LGP

Michael Goldstein, Executive Producer

Michael Goldwasser, President/Co-Founder, Easy Star Records

Helena Goldwater, Artist

Robert Golenberg, President, Pivot Artists Group

Michael Golodini, Actor

Adam Gonshor, Publicist, Collabo PR

Rosser Goodman, Executive Producer, Circle Content

Arlo Gordon, Creative Executive

Cambria and Howard Gordon, Author and TV Exec Produce, Teakwood Lane Productions

Howard Gordon, Writer/Producer

Karen Gordon, Film Critic/Writer, original-cin.ca/cbc

Steven Gordon, Animation Artist

Michael Gossack, President, MY3D Agency

Limor Gott Ronen, Producer

Tzvi Gottlieb, CEO, Israeli Film & TV Producers Association

Graham Gouldman, Songwriter/Musician, 10cc

Manick Govinda, Independent Arts Curator & Writer, former Artists’ Film/Video Producer

Neil Grant, Executive Producer

Cynthia Gravinese Brown, Actress, Producer, Writer, Three Wise Women Productions

Amy Green, Producer

Dylan Green, Director of Partnerships, TikTok

Malcolm Green, Filmmaker, Green AFM Ltd

Roger Green, Co-Head Motion Picture Department, WME

Jackson Greenberg, Film/TV Composer

Jef Greenberg, Agent, Gersh

Julie Greenwald, Music Executive

Daniel Grindlinger, Writer

D.J. Gugenheim, President

Abe Gurko, Producer/Writer, Won’t Be Silent LLC

Jeff Gurner, Actor/Director/Producer, NewYorkRep, Tequila Talking Theatrical

Julie Gurovitsch, Producer, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Jason Gurvitz, Producer, GREEN DOG FILMS

Paul Haas, Agent, WME

Noa Hadad, Co-Founder of a Film Festival in Spain

Laurent Amir Haddad, Artist, SASH Productions

Simon Halfon, BAFTA-nominated Producer, Nemperor Ltd

Jerome Halligan, Writer

Noreen Halpern, CEO, Halfire

Vered Halutzi, Director, Animation Guild of Israel R.A.

Elle Hamilton, Former VP, Stuntwomen’s Association

Keren Hantman, 1st AD

Lynn Harris, Producer

Michael Harris, Talent Agent, Apollo Artist Management Ltd

Robert Harris, Senior Partner, Lazarus & Harris LLP

Talia Harris Ram, Manager/Producer, DHA CONTENT

Harris Hartman, Partner, Sloane Offer Weber and Dern

Ronny Hatchwell, Industry Relations Manager, Ccfp

Wendy Hauser, Showrunner, Netflix

Elena Hazanov, Film Director

Andrew Heinze, Playwright

Wendy Heller, President, Heller Law

Michele Hennessy, Senior Creative Executive, Apple

David Hershon, Writer, KOLOSSAL records

Sarah Hildering, Director, Dance & Electronic Music, Virgin Music Group

Matthew Hiltzik, Founder and CEO of Hiltzik Strategies

Jonathan Holborn, Actor, PKA

Darrin Holender, Producer/Distributor

Kari Hollend, Producer

Laura Holstein, Producer

Jill Hoppenheim, Producer, Bagg Street Productions

Joanne Horowitz, Talent Manager/Producer, Joanne Horowitz Management

Sammy Horowitz, Writer/Producer

Daniel Housman, Writer

Andi Howard, President, Andi Howard entertainment

Josh Howie, Comic/Actor

Louis Huglin, Entertainment Lawyer

David Hunt, Actor, Director, Producer, FourBoys Entertainment

Rene Ifrah, Actor

Jon Imparato, Writer/Producer/Activist

Sally Ingrey, Lecturer/Animator

Alexis Jacknow, Filmmaker

Jonathan Jakubowicz, Filmmaker, Epicentral Studios

Jennifer Jason Leigh, Actress

Brandt Joel, Agent, WME

KC Johnson, Retake Director, 20th Century TV Animation

Jasmine Joseph-Danielpour, Manager

Ashley Josephson, Manager, Untitled

Heather Kadin, President, Scripted Television, Range Media Partners

Michael Kalifa, Re-recording Mixer, Emulsion

Stacey Kalish, Story and Research Consultant, Kalish Consulting, Inc

Aaron Kamin, Songwriter/Producer

Kia Kamran, Attorney, Kia Kamran P.C.

Cindy Kaplan, Writer

Michael Kaplan, Writer-Producer

Rachel Kaplan, Producer, Absecon Entertainment

Dorian Karchmar, Partner Agent, WME

Kim Karp, Writer/Producer

Kathryn Kates, Entertainment Journalist

Brian Katz, Producer/CEO, Umbrelic

Martin Katz, President, Prospero Pictures

Daniel Kaufman, Director, BOGADA

Ryan Kavanaugh, CEO, Gentv

Eve Kay, Executive Producer, Freelance currently at Dragonfly

Z Kay, Production Manager

Richie Keen, Director

Sheri Kelton, CEO, SRK Entertainment

Jason A. Kessler, Screenwriter

Jon Kinnally, Writer, Underpants Inc

Warren Kinsella, Lawyer, Daisy Documentaries

Melanie Kirschbaum, Writer

Larry Klein, Record Producer/ Composer/ Songwriter, Strange Cargo Inc

Marc Klein, Screenwriter

Olivia Kleinman, Advertising Executive

Barbie Kligman, Writer/Producer, Avenue K Productions

Steven P. Kline, President/COO, Better Noise Entertainment

Scott Kluge, Producer

Keetgi Kogan Steinberg, Writer/Producer

Blair Kohan, Board member, United Talent Agency

David Kohan, Television Writer-Producer

Michael Konyves, Writer/Producer

Lawrence Kopeikin, Executive Producer

Lisa Korn, Costume Designer

Ray Kosarin, Timing Director

Heidi Kozak, Writer/Producer/Actress, Best Case Scenario Productions

Eric Kranzler, Co-Founder, Entertainment 360

Jessica Kuba, Writer

Roger Kumble, Director

Rob Kutner, Writer-Producer

Paula Kweskin, Founder/Director, The 49%

Emma Lahana, Actor

Nicole Lampert, Journalist

Dana Landman, Management

Patti Langton, Producer/Director (Retired), BBC

Sherry Lansing, Philanthropist, The Sherry Lansing Foundation

Estelle Lasher, President, Lasher Group

Nirda Laufer, President, Asper

Danielle Lauren, Media Executive

Cathy Lawrence, Producer

Tessa Laws, CEO, Percy&Warren

Sheldon Lazarus, Producer, Bitachon 365

Stefanie Leder, Writer

Wendy Lee, Writer, Freelance

Colin Lester OBE, Chairman, JEM Music Group

Asher Levin, Producer, Loud

Monica Levinson, Producer, All of Us Prod.

Avi Levy, Producer

Ira Levy, President/Executive Producer, Spike &Sadie Media

Ray Levy, Music Consultant, Ray Levy Music Consultant

Tanya Levy, Artist

Avi Liberman, Entertainer

Micha Liberman, Music Editor, Mind Meld Arts, Inc.

Aliza Licht, Founder, Leave Your Mark

Sharon Lieblein, Casting Director, Sharon Lieblein Casting

Debbie Liebling, Film Producer

Elijah Lifton, Actor/Writer

Laura Lilienthal, Artist

Koura Linda, Founder & CEO, Space Dream Productions

Rachel Lipman, Writer

Robin Lippin, Casting Director

Dina Lipton, Brand Manager

Stephanie Liss, Artistic Director/Playwright, The American Jewish Theatre

Jill Littman, Manager/Producer, Impression Entertainment

Salvador Litvak, Writer Producer Director

Cory Litwin, Managing Partner, Range Media Partners

David Lonner, CEO, The David Lonner Company

Marta Lonyai, Lawyer

Benji Lovitt, Comedian/Author

Gabriela Lugo, Writer/Director/Producer

Jane Lush, MD TV Production

Noa Maiman, Director and Writer

Juliana Maio, Producer, Lighthouse Productions

Howie Mandel, TV Host

Terry Mandel, Talent agent, Abstract Talent

Leora Manischewitz, Actor/Psychologist

Gabriel Mann, Composer

Ari Mark, Owner, Ample Entertainment

Rick Markovitz, President, Weissman/Markovitz Comms

Limor Markovzki, Actress

Orly Marley, President, Tuff Gong Worldwide

Rafael Marmor, Partner, Delirio Films

Ori Marmur, VP Film, Netflix

Nancy Matalon, President, Evil Eye Ent.

Lisa May, Company Director, Trullo Leonora Srls

Devra Maza, Screenwriter

Laura McDonald, Agent

Barry McPherson, Executive Vice-President/Talent, Independent Artist Group

Estee Mecklberg, Film Producer, 2-Team Productions

Rob Melamed, Composer

William Mercer, Partner, Thruline Entertainment

Debra Messing, Actor/Producer

Sandor Mester, Producer, Miradouro

Alona Metzer, Producer

Nick Meyer, CEO, Sierra Pictures

Shana Meyerson, Podcaster, The Yoga of War Podcast

Darren Michaelson, Director, L25 Entertainment

Joel Michaely, Actor/ producer

Samantha Michelle, Filmmaker

Alexandra Milewich, Producer

Laurence Miller, Commerical Director, Nimax Theatres

Matthew Miller, Musician, Matisyahu

Petra Miller, Event Producer/Director, Alive Activation

Robin Mirsky, Executive Director, Rogers Group of Funds

Matthew Mishory, Director/Producer, Rubber Ring Films

Rebekah Miskin, Filmmaker

Eli Mizrahi, Director

Joe Montifiore, President/Talent Manager, Rafterman Media

Brett Morris, Executive Producer, Bioscope Films

Karen Morse, Screenwriter

Todd Moscowitz, Founder and CEO, Alamo Records/ Santa Anna Records

Daniel Moses, Director

Ariela Moskowitz, Entertainment Attorney, Brecheen Feldman Breimer Silver Thompson

Patrick Moss, Writer / Co-Executive Producer, STARZ / Moroccan Boychik

Sharon Moverman, VP of Acquisitions and International Operations, Hop! Media Group

Elizabeth Much, CEO, East to West Collective PR

Matt Myers, AVP Sales, Tundra

Melissa Myers, Producer, MM Media

Seth Nagel, Manager/Producer, Impish Grin Corp

Mikhail Nayfeld, President, Heroes and Villains Entertainment

Samantha Neal, Editor

Grant Neale, Artistic Director/Actor, Nomad Theatrical

Paul Neinstein, Co-CEO, Project X Entertainment

Carolyn Newman, EVP

Elizabeth Newman, Partner/Talent & Literary Manager, Literate

Saskia Newman, Actor

Ian Nothnagel, Set Decorator

Lisa Nupoff, Manager, iminmusic management

Jerry O’Connell, Actor

Tracy Ann Oberman, Actor Writer Producer, Augusta Productions

John Ondrasik, Singer Songwriter, Five for Fighting

Howard Owens, Founder and Co-CEO, Propagate Content

Scott Packman, Managing Member, SSP Partners & Associates LLC

Batia Parnass, Producer, Poster Child Pictures

Jessica Parry, Photographer

Andy Patman, Literary Agent, Innovative Artists Agency

Adam Paulden, Producer, ADAMA Entertainment

Sharon Paz, Manager, Paz Talent

Joe Pearlman, Director

Leo Pearlman, Co-CEO Fulwell Entertainment

Alison Peck, Screenwriter

Debbie Peiser, Writer, Director

Corey Peña, Actor, Lockway Films

Shayna Penn, Producer

Jennifer Perez, Manager

Stacey Pianko, Casting Director, The Casting Fairy

David Pick, CEO, Real Music TV

Mark Pinkus, President/Rhino Records

Tim Piper, Director

Jonah Platt, Podcaster, Being Jewish with Jonah Platt

Wendy Plaut, SVP, Music & Celebrity Talent, Paramount

Brad Pomerance, Executive Vice President, JLTV (Jewish Life Television)

Arie Posin, Director

Jill Arthur Posner, EVP, Television, Fifth season

Jessica Poter, Writer

Elinor Price, Actress

Liane Pritikin, VP Marketing, Horizon Media

Marion Pudeleau, VP Communications

Daniella Rabbani, Producer, Daniella Rabbani Inc.

Jeff Rabhan, Music Industry Executive

Gideon Raff, Filmmaker

Jeff Rake, Creator/Showrunner

Golan Ramraz, Writer/Producer, EGX Film Factory

Ron Rappaport, Writer/Producer, That’s A Rapp Productions

Fred Raskin, Film Editor

Michael Rauch, Writer

Abbe Raven, Industry Executive, Raven Media

Orly Ravid, Founder/Co-Executive Director, The Film Collaborative

Oded Raz, Film & TV Director, Oded Raz Production

Noa Regev, CEO, Israel Film fund

Adva Reichman, Director, Ripple Productions

Daniel Reisinger, Director, Cameleon Pictures

David Rennert, Author

David Renzer, Former Chairman/ CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group

Frederic Richter, Researcher & Producer

Doron Ritter, Producer/Photographer, Industryfilm

U Robbins, Songwriter

Wendy Robbins, Development Executive

Kerry Roberts, Producer

Adam Rodness, Co-Founder, 5’7 Films

Florina Rodov, Writer

Yaniv Rokah, Creator & Owner, MasMas Productions

Daphna Romi, President

Etai Romi, Music Producer & Audio Engineer, Freelance

Charlotte Rose, Literary Agency Owner, Green Light Artist Management

Jeff Rose, Producer, Harriman Partners

Rick Rosen, Co founder Endeavor/WME, WME

Lee Rosenbaum, Partner, RLG LLP

Scott Rosenbaum, Writer/Producer, Skeeter Rosenbaum Productions

Erez Rosenberg, Attorney, Jackoway Austen

Claudia Rosencrantz, TV Producer

Shira Rosenfeld, Producer, Piva Entertainment Inc

Scott Rosenfelt, Producer/Writer/Director, 8th Street Films, Inc.

Howard Rosenman, Producer, Howard Rosenman Productions

Shep Rosenman, Managing Partner, RLG LLP

Amanda Rosenthal, Talent Agent, Amanda Rosenthal Talent Agency

Danna Rosenthal, CEO & Founder, Positive Disruption

Jan Rosenthal, President, Abstract Talent, inc

Shani Rosenzweig, Partner and Talent agent, UTA

Nathan Ross, Film Producer

Michael Rotenberg, CEO

Robert Rothman, Owner/Managing Partner, Rothman Brecher Ehrich Livingston

Shani Rotkovitz, Line Producer/Photographer

Dani Rotstein, Producer

Susan Rovner, Producer

Ian Royston, Prodcuer, Chromista

Anna Ruben, Actor/writer/producer, Aureus films ltd.

Jonathan Rubenstein, Producer, Crystal City Entertainment

Eric S, Vice President

Haim Saban, Chairman and CEO, Saban Capital Group

Wendy Sachs, Director, Executive Producer/ OCTOBER 8, October 8 Foundation

Jeff Sackman, President, Quiver Distribution

David Sacks, Executive Producer

Lynn Sadofsky, SVP, Food Network, WBD

Rochel Saks, Manager

Glenn Sanders, Writer

Nancy Sanders, Partner/Manager, Thruline Entertainment

Fred Savage, Actor/Director

Leslie Schapira, Writer/Producer

Sammy Scher, Executive Producer

Joseph Schick, Producer – Jerusalem ‘67, Schick Pictures

Barry Schkolnick, Writer, Schoolboy Productions, Inc.

Sara Schraeter, Artist

Amy Schumer, Actress

Jordan Schur, Chairman & CEO, Suretone Entertainment and Mimran Schur Pictures

Adam Schwartz, Writer

Russell Schwartz, Senior Vice President and Head, Original Programming Business Affairs, Starz

Jay Schweid, Founder/CEO, ephelants/Village

Mariah Sebastiani, Makeup Artist

Guy Seemann, Producer, The American Question

Adam Segal, President, The 2050 Group – Publiciity

Tchelet Semel, Producer, OTOTO Productions

David Shair, Storyboard Artist/Writer

Inon Shampanier, Director

Natalie Shampanier, Screenwriter

Dan Shanan, Executive Director, Doc Edge (New Zealand)

Aliza Shane, Director

Yuval Shapira, Filmmaker

Laura Shapiro, Writer

Hillary Shaw, MD, Shaw Thing Managemnt LTD

Carly Shear, Head of Legal, Hat Trick Productions

Hannah Shearer, Writer/Producer

Mona Sheres, Creative Director, Sheres Industries Inc

Doniel Sherman, Technologist, Netflix

Matt Sherman, Talent Manager, Matt Sherman Management

Lee Shira, Producer, Siena FilmFoundation

Debbie Shofet, Writer

Karen Shopsowitz, Documentary Filmmaker

David Shore, Writer

Matt Shreder, CEO, Concourse Media

Marti Sichel, Editor

Alan Siegel, Producer, Alan Siegel Entertainment

Maya Sigel, Production Designer

Dan Signer, Writer/Producer

Ashley Silver, Attorney, Brecheen, Feldman, Breimer, SILVER & Thompson, LLP

Adam Silverman, SVP, Legal

Benjamin Silverman, Chairman, Propagate Content

Alyssa Simon, Actor

Gregg Simon, Director/Producer, Wenley Inc.

Keren Simon, Film Distribution Consultant, Mean Streets Management

Tamar Simon, Film Distributor / Publicist, Mean Streets Management

Marc Simonsson, Film and TV Agent, SoloSon Media Limited

Bonnie Singer, Agent

Marty Singer, Managing Partner, Lavely & Singer

Jacob Sloman, Writer

Jennifer Smith, Music Supervisor, Rat Dance Party Inc

Mark Smulian, Musician and Lecturer, MindHarp

Sid Soil, President, Docudavit Solutions Inc.

Danielle Solzman, Film Journalist, Solzy at the Movies

Jeff Sosnow, EVP A&R, Warner Records

Susanna Speier, Writer/Actor

Nancy Spielberg, Producer, Playmount Production

Yael Staav, Director

Halle Stanford, President, 7 Crow Stories

Jason Stare, Sound Designer

Marianna Staroselsky, Writer

Andrew Stearn, Producer

Alix Steerman, Director of Development, Blink49 Studios

Sami Steigmann, Actor

JM Stein, Writer-Producer

Hank Steinberg, Writer Producer

Mimi Steinberg, Writer/Producer

Rona Steinberg, Consultant

Sue Steinberg, Director

Nancy Steingard, Co President, 2 Friends Entertainment

Tracy Steinsapir, Owner/Talent Manager, Main Title Entertainment

Deena Stern, Studio and Distributon Marketing Executive

Emil Stern, Writer-Director

Michaela Stern, Actor

Rachel Stern, Writer/Producer

Estee Stimler, Playwright

Lee Stone, Partner, Lee & Thompson

Rebecca Stone, VP, Production

Alison Stover, Actor/Filmmaker, Luminous Pictures

Belinda Struminger, Executive Producer, FRANK Content

Geoff Suddleson, Partner / Co-Head, Unscripted Television, UTA

Artur Sumarokov, Cinema Critic, Playwright, Moviegram

Daniel Sussman, Talent Manager, BEP

Aaron Symonds, Film Composer

Fernando Szew, Partner, MarVista Entertainment

Fernando Szew, Producer

Hylton Tannenbaum, Film Director, Bioscope Films

Tal Tavin, Actor

Bill Teck, Producer/Director, Seigur Pictures

karynne Tencer, Public Relations Exec.

Michael Testa, Casting Director, Michael Testa Casting

Robyn Todd, Producer, Norton Productions

Adam Toltzis, Writer / Producer

Richard Trank, Academy Award-Winning Documentary Filmmaker, Sea Point Films and Media

Anne Trauben, Artist/Curator/Gallery Director

Gabriela Tscherniak, Director, Cohensisters Entertainment Ltd

Eric Tuchman, Writer-Producer

Brad Turell, COO, IAG

Ben Turner, Director

Tamas Vajda, Journalist

Nathan Vincenti, Actor, Legal Alien Entertainment

Noa Vinshtok, Manager, Range Media Partners // Range Music

Esther Vlessing, Actor

David Wachtenheim, Director

Vera Wagman, Producer, Velocity + Direction

Karyn Wagner, Producer/Responsible filmmaker, Karyn Wagner LLC

Darah Wagner Boaz, Producer

Ariyela Wald-Cohain, Costume Designer

Katie Walder, Actress

Richard Walters, President, Smash Music Inc

Evan Warner, Senior Partner/Agent, WME

Dena Waxman, Executive Producer / Writer / Director, Freelance

Jeff Waxman, Producer, Waxylu films inc.

Ben Weinberg, Director

Guri Weinberg, Actor

Matthew Weiner, Writer-Director

Jenni Weinman Voake, Publicist, The Current Co,

Lynn Weintraub, Actor/Director, M2 Talent Management

Jay Weisleder, Producer, Nojac Films Inc.

Michael Weisler, Filmmaker, Vienna Gold

David N. Weiss, Writer-Director, Fat Dancing Productions

Adam Wells, Director

Ilana Wernick, Writer/Producer

Ron West, Managing Partner, Thruline Entertainment

Gerald Wexler, Screenwriter

Pearl Wexler, President, Kohner Agency

Modi Wiczyk, Co-Founder, MRC

Junior Williams, Actor, Rossi Productions

Rebecca Windsor, Producer

Cara Wodnicki, Founder, CSW Publicity

Jorey Worb, Filmmaker, 21 Grams

Daniel Yankelevits, EVP Legal Affairs, Sony Pictures

Sasha Yelaun, Producer

Yaël Yermia, Scénariste, Movieintheair

Kevin Yorn, Attorney

H Spencer Young, Director, Grand Unified

Jonathan Yunger, President, Millennium Media

Hanna Zabolotna, Graphic Designer

Kerri Zane, Executive Producer, KZE enterprises.

Suzanne Zionts, Writer/Producer

Arnie Zipursky, Co-Founder/Executive Producer, Neshama Entertainment

Dayna Zipursky, Executive Vice President, Neshama Entertainment

Farah Zipursky, Production Coordinator, Neshama Entertainment

Evie Bergson-Korn, Producer, Buffalo Pictures

Jamie Bialkower, Director, Jump Street Films

Ricky Blitt, Writer/Actor

Dmitry Borshch, Artist

Michael Capozzola, Stand Up Comedian/Presenter

Layla Chaab Bellenstein, Writer/Executive Producer, Spoon River Motion Pictures

Craig Dorfman, Talent Manager/Producer, Frontline

Jake Epstein, Actor

Sharona Fae, Literary Manager, Sharona Fae Management

Rob Fried, Producer, Fried Films

Aura Friedman, Creative Director, Auracolorist Creative

Tamar Gibbert, Film Marketing & Publicity

Deborah Gilels, Publicist

Elizabeth Goodstein, VP, Strategy and Content Partnerships, Madison Wells

David Harring, Writer

Karen Hermelin, EVP, Marketing, Strategy and Insights, Paramount Pictures

Patty Jenkins, Filmmaker, Wicious Pictures

Alexandra Lumerman, Headshot Photographer, Alexandra Lumerman Photography

Yariv Mozer, Filmmaker

Barbara Onrot, Music and Entertainment Industry Executive, THE Group Tix Company

Len Pearl, Producer/Director, Historical Film Studios

Sivan Raphaely, Producer, Jake’s Dad Films

Teme Ring, Writer, Comedians Defying Gravity

Malia Scotch Marmo, Screenwriter

Rachel Seed, Director/Producer, Capariva Films

Rhona Shekter, Actress

Rachelle Shukman, CEO, Room 8 Films

Lauren Sklar, PR, Warner Bros Discovery

Leonardo Szew, Software Engineer, Netflix Animation

Adam Taylor, President/CEO, APM Music

Ori Winokur, Head Of Music

Julie Sherman Wolfe, Screenwriter, Chance of Rain Entertainment, Inc.

Jake Yanowski, Producer

Lisa Zaks, Vice President Global Publicity, Sony Pictures

Frederick Zollo, Producer

Cover Photo: TORONTO, ONTARIO – SEPTEMBER 11: The TIFF logo is seen at the TIFF Bell Lightbox is seen at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival on September 11, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)

Our Statement

The Toronto International Film Festival’s decision to pull The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue from this year’s festival is deeply disturbing. 

They are choosing to censor a Jewish story of survival and attempting to erase the experiences of survivors of the worst attack on Jews since the Holocaust.

This decision is part of a growing trend of silencing Jewish and Israeli voices under the excuse of “security concerns.” 

Rather than standing up to violent intimidation and protecting filmmakers, TIFF is rewarding those who threaten their lives. 

TIFF’s claim that the issue is “clearance” for Hamas-filmed footage is absurd. Does anyone believe Hamas would authorize use of evidence of its own war crimes? This is a pretext to bow to threats, protecting those who make them rather than those targeted by them.

By silencing this film, TIFF abandons artistic freedom and sends the chilling message that some victims’ stories matter more than others. 

We call on TIFF to reverse its decision and stand for the principles it claims to uphold: artistic freedom, courage, and the right for every story to be told.

TORONTO, ONTARIO – SEPTEMBER 11: The TIFF logo is seen at the TIFF Bell Lightbox is seen at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival on September 11, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)