South Africa bans screening of 2018 antisemitic film

South Africa has become the first country to issue a nationwide ban on the screening and distribution of a specific film. The movie, Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America, was released in 2018. The Film and Publication Board, known as the FPB, announced its final decision on Monday to refuse classification for the film’s broadcasting and distribution.

The ruling follows a formal complaint filed by the South African Jewish Board of Deputies. The board reported the film to the national ombudsman after it was screened at the Soweto Theatre in June 2023. The FPB determined that the film advocates for hatred based on identifiable group characteristics and constitutes incitement to cause harm.

The film argues that Black Hebrew Israelites are the true descendants of biblical Israelites. It contends that contemporary Jews are not the authentic heirs to that lineage. The movie also claims an international Jewish conspiracy exists to defraud Black people. The FPB noted that the film labels the Holocaust as a falsehood and describes Jews as parasites among the nations.

The board stated that the film fails to meet the criteria for a bona fide documentary due to its denial of historical accuracy. The FPB emphasized that the film promotes antisemitic views, uses prejudicial language, and engages in the dehumanization of Jews. The prohibition applies strictly to the film and does not extend to the book of the same name from which the movie was derived.

Individuals who knowingly broadcast, distribute, or exhibit the film in public, or offer it for sale or hire, are now guilty of an offense. Offenders may face a fine of up to R500,000, imprisonment for a period of up to five years, or both. The FPB made the initial decision not to classify the film in December 2025, but the ruling was formally gazetted in October 2026.

The South African Jewish Board of Deputies stated that the ruling safeguards the fundamental rights of all citizens. The board of deputies noted that freedom of expression does not grant a license to defame or propagate hatred against an entire group. The ruling sends a strong message that the film crosses the line from expression to incitement.

The film remains available for purchase in the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as through Amazon internationally. Some retail sellers, such as Barnes and Noble, have removed the title from their catalogues. In October 2022, NBA player Kyrie Irving shared a link to the film on X, formerly known as Twitter. He deleted the post three days later and has since apologized for the incident.