Prefer Jewish News on Google
7 October film gets Toronto festival premiere amid boycott pressure on Israeli cinema
Avi Nesher’s drama Our Loves will make its international debut at TIFF before competing for Israel’s top film awards
A new Israeli film telling the story of the 7 October massacre is set to receive its international premiere at one of North America’s biggest film festivals amid growing boycott pressure on Israeli cinema.
Our Loves, directed by veteran Israeli filmmaker Avi Nesher, has been selected for the Centrepiece programme at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
The drama follows a group of characters whose lives cross during the Hamas-led attacks of 7 October 2023, when around 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage.
Its selection comes as Israeli filmmakers and performers face increasing calls for cultural boycotts over the war in Gaza.
Speaking at a panel during the recent Jerusalem Film Festival, Nesher described the boycott of Israeli cinema as “a sad part of life” which must be dealt with “somehow”.
The film has also secured backing from major entertainment companies Fox and Access Entertainment at a difficult time for Israel’s film industry.
Its Toronto premiere comes ahead of Israel’s Ophir Awards, where Our Loves has been put forward in 12 categories, including best feature, director, screenplay and cinematography.
A win for best feature could put the film on the path to becoming Israel’s submission for the Academy Awards.
The Toronto screening comes a year after the festival became embroiled in controversy over another film about the Hamas attacks.
Barry Avrich’s documentary The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue was temporarily pulled from TIFF amid security concerns and questions over rights to footage, including videos filmed by Hamas terrorists during the massacre.
The decision sparked an international backlash and was reversed days later, allowing the documentary to screen at the festival.
It went on to win TIFF’s People’s Choice Documentary Award.
At the time, Avrich said: “I appreciate everything that TIFF has done for us”.
Our Loves is due to open in Israeli cinemas on 3 September, with its TIFF screening marking its international premiere.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
