The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) kicked off on September 5, 2024, amid ongoing tensions from the Israel-Hamas war.

The festival, North America's largest film event, commenced with the premiere of Ben Stiller's first film in seven years, titled 'Nutcrackers,' directed by David Gordon Green.

During the screening of 'Nutcrackers' at the Princess of Wales Theatre, pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted the event, chanting slogans like 'Stop the genocide!' and demanding that festival sponsor Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) cut ties with Israel.

The protest involved five activists who chanted for about four minutes before being escorted out by security, with many attendees recording the incident.

The demonstration was met with hostility from the audience, who booed the protesters and shouted phrases like 'Go home!'

Protesters specifically targeted RBC, accusing the bank of funding genocide and contributing to climate crises, while holding signs stating 'RBC is killing our future.'

In response, RBC expressed sympathy for those affected by the humanitarian crisis in Israel and Gaza, while emphasizing the importance of cultural events.

Festival director Cameron Bailey attempted to maintain order during the protest, urging attendees to focus on the festival and stating, 'You said your piece, and now we would like to start the festival.'

This protest is part of a larger pattern of controversy surrounding RBC's involvement with TIFF, as previous campaigns have also criticized the bank for its ties to the fossil fuel industry.

The protest briefly highlighted the political tensions surrounding the festival, which is returning to its usual grandeur after a subdued edition last year due to actor and writer strikes.

TIFF is scheduled to run until September 15, 2024, featuring a total of 278 films, including notable works from Hollywood stars.