From Cancellation to Standing Ovation: Kosha Dillz’s Chicago Showdown

On May 13th, Israeli American rapper and activist Kosha Dillz was all set to premiere an unfinished cut of his debut documentary, “Bring the Family Home,” at the Chicago indie arthouse theatre, FACETS.

The community screening, co-hosted by the Chicago Jewish Alliance (CJA), focuses on the alarming rise of antisemitism on U.S. college campuses, with a focus on student encampments and tensions at DePaul University and Northwestern University.

The “Bring the Family Home” event also had a panel scheduled, with Dillz, Michael Kaminsky, a DePaul University student who had been harassed with anti-Jewish insults on campus after making pro-Israel statements, and Jeremiah Smith (part of Hersh Goldberg-Polin’s family).

But the venue cancelled just a few hours before showtime.

Instead, the evening became an alarming illustration of the documentary’s core message: Jewish voices are increasingly being excluded from intellectual and public discourse.

“Based on the public posts made by Kosha Dillz and the overall tone surrounding the event, we determined that proceeding would not align with our values or our responsibility to protect the safety and well-being of our community,” FACETS said.

“We reject antisemitism in all forms — just as we reject Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian racism, and any form of hate or dehumanization.”

“My stomach dropped,” Dillz, whose birth name is Rami Matan Even-Esh, told Aish.com. “I didn’t think I was ‘popular enough’ for it to happen. We were left without a venue due to harassing calls and threats.”

The artist, best known for his freestyle rap, viral collaborations, and sobriety advocacy, has performed for several seasons on the competition series, “Nick Cannon’s Nick Cannon Presents: Wild ‘n Out,” and has toured with Matisyahu. He even released a “diss track” against Kanye West, in protest of antisemitic words.

“I’ve performed at venues all over Chicago — from Metro to Park West — since 2008,” Dillz said. “To be silenced for trying to show a film about Jewish families, hostages, and peace? That’s a first. And it’s unacceptable.”

The abrupt dismissal made him feel extremely disappointed.

“Exclusion is the new form of bigotry,” said Dillz. “FACETS’ decision to cancel this film under pressure speaks volumes about the silent discrimination that exists in spaces that claim to champion diverse perspectives.”

The CJA was equally angry, issuing a powerful commentary following the cancellation.

“FACETS still proudly displays this on their website: ‘For 50 years, FACETS has been a haven for bold cinematic exploration, fearlessly championing the power of great films to expand perspectives…’ Unless you’re Jewish.”

Noting that FACETS had blocked CJA on social media, they said: “This isn’t brave. It’s cowardice hiding behind a film reel.”

Dillz talked about how Israelis and Jews are getting “pushed out” of progressive spaces like FACETS.

“People believe that being against antisemitism and Islamophobia mean that you have the ability to make decisions on what Jewish themed content you showcase,” he noted. “In my case, my film is a DIY artist driven self-funded project that was cancelled for who I was – and many excuses were made to not take accountability.”

He added: “I chalk it up to BDS bullying – which won’t let you have a conversation with anyone and if you do, you will be ostracized from your community. This needs to stop. We need to have conversations or at least platform ‘both sides,’ in a solution-based mindset for our communities.”

Dilz was determined to find an alternative.

“I thought, ‘how do we keep our spirits up to show the film elsewhere?’ We have had doors shut before, but which one is open and how do we solve the current problem?”

Within hours, the Wilmette Theatre stepped in to host the film — moving the event from a downtown Chicago venue to a North Shore suburb. The event quickly sold out and was met with emotional standing ovations.

In an Instagram post, a rep wrote: “We were glad we could open up and make it work! Art should be seen without censorship or fear.”

Shortly after, faced with mounting pressure by the public and Jewish groups, FACETS changed their mind, deciding to once again, allow the screening to take place.

“In retrospect we recognize that this was an overreaction and not consistent with our mission,” the organization said in a statement that Dillz posted to his Instagram.

Dillz is determined to get the film into film festivals around the world.

“My film features first-hand accounts of Jewish students navigating hostilities, exclusion, and violence, as well as reflections on Israeli-American identity and the October 7 Hamas attacks. It takes a sobering, nuanced look at freedom of expression, Jewish identity, and what it means to feel unsafe in spaces that claim to be inclusive.”