Introduction to TIFF
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has recently celebrated its 50th anniversary edition. During this time, the festival has taken steps to address potential protests related to certain film screenings. One such film is Annemarie Jacir’s Palestinian Oscar entry, Palestine 36, which has sparked concerns about demonstrations.
Security Measures
According to sources, TIFF’s security team will be monitoring designated protest zones outside the Roy Thomson Hall, where the film will be screened. These areas will also be supervised by the Toronto police. The security team will be present on the carpet and will be monitoring the crowd around the event location at David Pecaut Square. A route of this street will be photographed, following the festival tradition.
Protest Zones
The development of protest zones comes amidst frequent and persistent demonstrations worldwide regarding the war in Gaza. A significant protest took place at the Venice Film Festival last week. TIFF has a history of handling demonstrations, and the festival’s in-cinema staff will be trained to de-escalate any potential security issues. The security team will be available if needed, and TIFF employees usually allow demonstrators to have their say before continuing the program.
Film Overview
Palestine 36 is set in the 1930s under the British mandate for Palestine and stars Karim Daoud, Anaya, Jeremy Irons, Hiam Abbass, Wardi Eilabouni, and Saleh Bakri. The film will have a press and industry screening, followed by a public screening on Sunday, September 7, and another P&I slot on September 10.
Controversy and Censorship
Another film, The Street Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue, a documentary about a retired Israeli general’s mission to save family members during Hamas’ terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023, has triggered controversy. The filmmakers claimed that the festival withdrew the film and censored itself, but CEO Cameron Bailey denied these claims. The film was eventually reinstated in the lineup.
Past Demonstrations
In the past, TIFF has experienced pro-Palestinian demonstrations, including the opening night screening of Nutcracker. The festival was also forced to make demonstrations for Anastasia Trofimova’s documentary Russians in War due to protests related to the ongoing conflict in Russia-Ukraine. TIFF programmed two demonstrations according to the 2024 festival, ensuring the safety and security of festival operations and the public.
