Melania Trump Documentary Faces Distribution Snub in South Africa

Mon Feb 02 2026 15:31:45 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The film 'Melania,' set to release globally, will not be shown in South Africa due to undisclosed reasons from the distributor Filmfinity, amid strained US-South African relations.

The documentary 'Melania,' chronicling the experiences of the former First Lady in the lead-up to her husband's second inauguration, will not be screened in South Africa. Filmfinity, the distributor, cited 'recent developments' as the basis for this decision. This move comes amidst deteriorating diplomatic ties between the US and South Africa, which have worsened in the past year. The film has received significant funding, reportedly from Amazon, raising discussions about the political implications of its absence from South African cinemas.

Cinemas in South Africa will not be showing the documentary about US First Lady Melania Trump that is due to be released worldwide on Friday.

The South African distributor Filmfinity has decided against its release, although the head of sales and marketing did not specify the reasons behind the move, according to reports from the New York Times and South African outlet News24.

The film, titled 'Melania,' appears to be absent from the promotional content of the country's main cinema chains. An independent cinema in Cape Town confirmed to the BBC that they were instructed not to list it.

Relations between the US and South Africa have severely deteriorated over the past year, which may have contributed to this decision.

Amazon reportedly paid $35 million to market the film, which explores Melania Trump's life leading up to her husband's second inauguration on January 20 last year. Additionally, it is believed that Amazon acquired the film rights for around $40 million.

Filmfinity's Thobashan Govindarajulu stated to the New York Times that this decision was made due to the 'current climate,' without elaborating on specific concerns or the developments referred to.

Attempts to gain further comments from Filmfinity have been unsuccessful. The film will not be listed on the official websites of Ster Kinekor or Nu Metro, the two major cinema chains in South Africa.

The political context surrounding this decision is significant as it follows a year of heightened tensions. The Trump administration has made claims regarding issues such as a 'white genocide' against South Africa's Afrikaner community, leading to serious diplomatic rifts. Coupled with economic sanctions and the rollback of aid programs, the US-South Africa relations remain tense, influencing cultural exchanges like this documentary release.