UNSILENCED: Anti-Palestinian Racism Shorts+
TIFF Bell Lightbox, Cinema 1

Exception
Screening with: Other Unsilenced films

Duration: 32 min Director: Rodrigue Hammal Genre: Drama Year: 2024
Country: Canada, United States Languages: English

TPFF is proud to present three original works created by local Palestinian filmmakers. The films were developed, workshopped, filmed and produced through the 2025 TPFF Film Residency. After an exciting year-long process, TPFF presents the world premieres of these incredible films. Two of the films were produced with the financial support of the Canadian government and the Arab Canadian Lawyers Association in partnership with TPFF to explore the themes of anti-Palestinian racism. The film Exception was added to this collection to round out the understanding of the manifestation of APR, which impacts so many in our community.

Description:
When a leaked video of his lecture goes viral, a Palestinian professor faces a difficult choice: stay silent to preserve his career, or speak out and risk it all.

Through his dilemma, Exception explores the tensions of visibility, professional risk, and the deep personal costs of challenging anti-Palestinian racism in North American institutions.

Cast: Waleed Zuaiter, Matt Biedel, Carla Valentine
Awards: Toronto Shorts International Film Festival
More Info: Watermelon Pictures