Contact the Toronto International Film Festival to cancel the screening of "Russians At War"


Published by UCC Toronto on Sep 6, 2024

TIFF 1

The Canadian Government says it is very concerned about the influence of Russian propaganda.

Then why is the Canada Media Fund using taxpayer money to fund:

  • A movie – Russians at War – made by a filmmaker whose previous movies used to be broadcast by Russia Today, a Russian propaganda outlet sanctioned by the Government of Canada?
  • A filmmaker who entered sovereign Ukrainian territory together with invading Russian armies, thus violating Ukrainian law, Ukrainian sovereignty and possibly breaching Canadian sanctions?
  • Why did this film receive $340,000 from the Canadian Media Fund through the Department of Canadian Heritage?
  • Why is the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) screening a movie that seeks to explain away Russia’s genocidal war of aggression against Ukraine? Why is TIFF showcasing a film which blames “propaganda” or “the fog of war” for the Russian armies who invaded Ukraine and who rape, torture, murder and dehumanize Ukrainians?

We encourage you to contact the following to express your views on funding and that the screening be cancelled at TIFF:

The Canada Media Fund

1-800-567-0890

cmf.fmc.coordination@telefilm.ca

 

The Honourable Pascale St-Onge, PC, MP

Minister of Canadian Heritage

pascale.st-onge@parl.gc.ca

 

Toronto International Film Festival

customerrelations@tiff.net

Local: 416-599-2033 or Toll-free: 1-888-258-8433 

 

Below is the ending credit of Russians At War, which received $340,000 from the Canada Media Fund, which receives funding from the Government of Canada. The Canada Media Fund’s Board of Directors is nominated by the Minister of Canadian Heritage.

https://ucctoronto.ca/storage/img/TIFF 2_1725647582.png

You can read the letter the UCC sent to the Toronto International Film Festival calling for this movie to be withdrawn here: 

https://ucctoronto.ca/storage/img/August.19.2024.UCC-letter-to-TIFF_Page_1-768x994_1725656647.jpg

https://ucctoronto.ca/storage/img/TIFF 5_1725647596.jpg