Aretha Franklin Documentary Withdrawn From Toronto Film Fest

The producers of the Aretha Franklin documentary “Amazing Grace” have withdrawn the film from the Toronto Film Festival amid a legal dispute with the singer.

Last week, a screening of “Amazing Grace” was halted just hours beforehand at the Telluride Film Festival by a federal judge in Denver. Lawyers for Franklin filed a lawsuit to prevent its release, claiming footage used in the film, shot by director Sydney Pollack in 1972, can only be used with Franklin’s consent.

Photo: Carlos Osorio/AP Photo

After taping American Idol XIV in Detroit at The Fillmore.

The Toronto Film Festival said in a statement Tuesday that it is “extremely disappointed that Toronto audiences will not be able to see this extraordinary piece of art.” The festival added it hopes a resolution is soon found so audiences can see “a cinematic treasure of 20th century music.”