By Stephanie Ornelas
When beloved father and husband Eli Timoner, founder of 1970s Air Florida, told his wife and three kids that he'd made the decision to die, they were stunned and terrified. In his 90s and in failing health, Eli was not just ready, but determined to medically terminate his life. During a mandatory 15-day waiting period, his daughter, Sundance Institute alum and filmmaker Ondi Timoner, decided to document his final days, but not for the purpose of making a film. It was more of a personal project.
I didn't intend to make a documentary about my father or his death, says Ondi. I was actually working on a scripted film at the time. I didn't want to mediate anyone else's experience.
But something inside her said she had to film her father. My memory is not that great, and I try to film everything I love that brings me passion.
When it came time to put a memorial video together, Ondi had tons of great footage in front of her and knew she was on the verge of something great. So, she decided to make a short that ultimately turned into a feature documentary.
The film documents Eli's final days while shining light on his legacy and the impact he made on those around him. He was often called an innovator who was known for changing the rules, especially when it came to racial segregation within the union.
But it also casts light on disability disrimination as the film tragically recounts the moment Eli's own airline asked him to step down because it was a bad look to have a CEO who was in a wheelchair. This brought immense shame to Eli, and that indignity was something that shaped the message behind this film.
He misunderstood the value of his life, says daughter Rabbi Rachel Timoner. He held too much shame. We all should have the ability to look at our shame and unload it, she says.
A huge message I hope the viewers get from this film is that sometimes we can misunderstand success. We are so much more worthy than we think we are, Rachel adds.
The family's heart-wrenching journey to find closure sends an incredible message of love, legacy, and dignity, and shows how grief looks different for everyone.
Assisted death is a very sensitive topic and viewers were curious how, as a rabbi, Rachel navigated that. During the post-screening Q&A, she boldly addresses what Jewish law forbids and her own opinions on the subject.
After going through this experience with [my father], and from having congregants who wished that they had this choice, because they were suffering terribly for a very long time, I think we should consider that holding life sacred can be done by reducing suffering at the end of life, says Rachel.
If we craft these laws carefully and have these conversations in our religious/spiritual traditions with great sensitivity, we can consider whether sometimes the extended agony of dying could be relieved in a way that actually enhances the dignity and honor of life. And I would like to see more of us have that conversation.
North America Stories
15/07/2026
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is a big deal for DAZN, which has distribution rights in three markets: Italy, Spain, and Japan. Each requires a different editorial app...
15/07/2026
As sports-media organizations manage rapidly growing content libraries and incre...
15/07/2026
HBS director of digital Johannes Franken talks SVG Europe through the operation built to serve FIFA World Cup 2026 rights holders remotely from Stratford, east ...
15/07/2026
IBC has unveiled the conference program for IBC2026, with this year's event ...
15/07/2026
Software-defined wideband RF platform supports 96-kHz monitoring, streamlined fr...
15/07/2026
New AI-powered module enables broadcasters and content owners to extract dialogu...
15/07/2026
Weeklong gathering at EBU headquarters will test new IPMX capabilities and expand certified product ecosystem...
15/07/2026
Force Tech has announced the appointment of Bryan Adams, CTS, as Vice President of Integration. Adams will oversee AV and broadcast integration project delivery...
15/07/2026
USA Sports has announced an exclusive English-language agreement with the Bundes...
15/07/2026
ITV Sport's FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage has been produced from one of the m...
15/07/2026
Program will provide professional camera kits, training, and technical support to participating local newsrooms...
15/07/2026
San Francisco church becomes first U.S. deployment of the 2 M/E production switcher...
15/07/2026
Former ESPN and NFL Network executive to advise startup league on media, distribution, technology, and fan engagement...
15/07/2026
The Houston-based RSN is the live-game home of the Astros and Rockets...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
GigaCloud, a leading Ukrainian cloud service provider, and Cubbit, the first geo-distributed cloud storage enabler, today announced a new Business Alliance Part...
15/07/2026
SMPTE, the global society for media professionals, technologists, and engineers, has announced the launch of the SMPTE 110th Anniversary Campaign, a fundraising...
15/07/2026
Studio Technologies, a leading manufacturer of high-quality audio, video, and fiber-optic solutions, unveils the new StudioComm Model 762 Stereo Level Control, ...
15/07/2026
COW Jobs: Producer, Virtual Events - Hybrid, Full Time, Salaried
Brie Clayton July 15, 2026
0 Comments
Producer, Virtual Events (Hybrid | Full-time | ...
15/07/2026
Brazilian media organization builds nationwide CDN with Broadpeak's high-performance software for low-latency streaming and new content distribution service...
15/07/2026
DHD announces a new utility designed to increase the efficiency of its audio mixing systems during initial installation and subsequent configuration.
Anyone w...
15/07/2026
BCNEXXT Brings Next-Generation Vipe to IBC2026, Breaking the 1:1 Channel-to-Server Ratio New innovations liberate broadcasters from legacy playout infrastructur...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
Home to leading manufacturers, robotics pioneers, infrastructure builders and gaming, of course, Japan is one of the world's centers of AI - building across...
14/07/2026
South end zone videoboard, cloud-based control system will be ready for 2026 football season...
14/07/2026
Redesigned website, enhanced mobile app unify content, ticketing, and personalized fan engagement...
14/07/2026
Agreement spans sponsorship sales, digital monetization, radio production, and new practice facility naming rights...
14/07/2026
Independent league adds 14 regional sports network affiliates, growing distribut...
14/07/2026
New strategy aims to unify competitions, content, fan engagement, and commercial...
14/07/2026
ESPN and Disney+ become exclusive home of PFL events in key international MMA market...
14/07/2026
Gill will oversee engineering, technology, and sports operations across the company's 64 local television stations...
14/07/2026
Submitted by North American Broadcasters Association (NABA)
As broadcasters con...
14/07/2026
Modernized mobile unit combines HOME Apps, mc 56 console, and IP infrastructure ...
14/07/2026
Every match of the 32-team tournament will air across ION and Scripps Sports platforms in English and Spanish...
14/07/2026
FloHockey to stream every game of the annual international tournament under four...
14/07/2026
Victory+ telecasts to be simulcast on TEGNA-owned station, expanding free local distribution...
14/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/07/2026
IBC2026 has unveiled a powerful Conference programme bringing together global media leaders, technology innovators, creators, sports organisations, broadcasters...
14/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/07/2026
Broadcast Solutions, a leading systems integrator and provider of innovative solutions for the broadcast media industry, has delivered two highly capable outsid...
14/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/07/2026
Telos Alliance Adds AudioShake Source Separation to Minnetonka Audio AudioToo...
By Stephanie Ornelas 
