Melania Trump's Documentary Axed from South African Theaters Amid Political Strain

Tue Feb 03 2026 19:15:37 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The highly anticipated documentary featuring Melania Trump will not be shown in South African cinemas, as distributor Filmfinity cites concerns over the current political climate.

Filmfinity, the distributor for Melania Trump's documentary, has decided not to release the film in South Africa, citing political tensions between the US and South Africa. Despite significant funding for promotion, the documentary has been excluded from major cinema listings, reflecting the strained diplomatic relations.

Cinemas in South Africa will not showcase the documentary about US First Lady Melania Trump, set to release globally this Friday, due to decisions made by local distributor Filmfinity.

The company's head of sales and marketing confirmed to the New York Times and South African media outlet News24 that the film would not be released, though specific reasons for this decision weren't provided.

The film, entitled 'Melania', has not been promoted by the major cinema chains in South Africa, leading to suspicions about its shelving. An independent cinema in Cape Town revealed that they were directly instructed by Filmfinity not to list the film.

Relations between the United States and South Africa have worsened over the last year, with increasing tensions surrounding political statements and actions from former President Donald Trump, including allegations of a 'white genocide' against Afrikaners in South Africa and high tariffs imposed on South African goods.

Despite Amazon's reported $35 million marketing investment and $40 million for film rights, Filmfinity's decision reflects a cautious approach to releasing media tied to significant political upheavals. The distributor, leading in southern Africa, has not elaborated on what recent developments influenced their choice, nor have they responded to requests for further comment from media.

With major cinema chains like Ster Kinekor and Nu Metro not listing showtimes for 'Melania', this decision serves as a stark indication of the cooling diplomatic ties between the two nations.