Melania Trump film faces fresh embarrassment after UK mishap as distributors ‘forget to send film’

Melania Trump’s new documentary faced fresh embarrassment on its international release day after the first scheduled UK screening was abruptly cancelled when the cinema reportedly did not receive the film in time. The incident unfolded in London at a Vue cinema in Islington, where audience members arrived expecting to watch the self titled documentary only to be told that the screening could not go ahead.

According to reports from journalists on site, staff confirmed that the film had not been delivered by distributors ahead of the midday showing. The cancellation quickly became a talking point online as images of the empty cinema foyer and frustrated ticket holders began circulating on social platforms. While the Vue website continued to list later showings, the disruption added to growing scrutiny surrounding the project’s rollout.

The documentary, titled Melania, premiered at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. before its wider release across more than 1,500 theatres worldwide. The film follows the First Lady during the 20 days leading up to the 2025 presidential inauguration, offering behind the scenes access to meetings, preparations and private moments linked to the transition back to the White House. Melania Trump has said the project was designed to show audiences her daily responsibilities, business interests, philanthropic work and family life during the return to public office.

Produced by Amazon MGM Studios with a reported budget of around $40 million, the documentary is expected to move exclusively to Amazon Prime Video after its theatrical run. Director Brett Ratner has previously stated that box office figures would not be his main measure of success, pointing out that documentaries rarely generate blockbuster ticket sales.

Despite those comments, the UK screening failure intensified online debate. Social media users reacted with sarcasm and memes, with some describing the incident as symbolic of wider organisational issues surrounding the release. Others questioned how a high profile international premiere could encounter such a basic logistical error. The hashtag linked to the documentary trended briefly as screenshots of cancelled bookings were shared widely.

Donald Trump also weighed in on the project after attending a private White House screening, calling the film ‘really great’ and praising its glamorous presentation. He suggested the documentary captured an atmosphere he believes has been missing from public life. Melania Trump echoed that sentiment, describing the film as emotional, cinematic and fashionable while expressing pride in the finished product.