Documentary ‘October 8’ Explores Surge of Antisemitism on College Campuses

LOS ANGELES, March 11, 2025 — Filmmaker Wendy Sachs faced challenges in securing a distribution deal for her documentary “October 8,” which chronicles the rise of antisemitism on American college campuses after the October 7, 2023, Hamas terror attack in Israel.

Sachs, who was attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison with her daughter Lexi when she first learned of the attack, was moved to act after witnessing anti-Israel protests and a surge in antisemitism across the nation. “The images from Israel, babies and children, young people, grandparents being murdered, were heartbreaking,” she said. “The silence, the dismissal, the denial of these events was overwhelming.”

As she observed the campus protests blaming Israel for the violence, including a notable incident at Harvard where over 30 student organizations signed a letter condemning Israel, Sachs felt compelled to document the unfolding narrative. By the end of October, she began scriptwriting for her film.

“October 8” investigates the apparent escalation of antisemitism within elite U.S. universities and the underlying ideological motivations. Through 80 interviews with students, celebrities, and politicians, the film aims to unpack how educated young adults could support groups like Hamas. Notable figures such as actress Debra Messing and Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) contribute their perspectives on this troubling trend.

“What I found was a well-orchestrated campaign to delegitimize the Jewish state and its supporters,” Sachs stated. The film captures senior Hamas leaders discussing strategies to influence American media, universities, and research institutions to present their ideology in a more favorable light.

Additionally, the film critiques how prominent organizations like the United Nations and Human Rights Watch have faced accusations of bias against Israel, often ignoring or downplaying the attacks of Hamas.

In the film, Sachs shared her feelings of disappointment towards Hollywood’s quietness in the wake of the October 7 attacks, remarking, “There was such a lack of response from even esteemed women’s rights organizations and politicians I respect. The hypocrisy was astounding, especially when considering the violence against Jewish women.”

“October 8” also details severe instances of antisemitism that students have faced, like the harassment of Jewish students at Cooper Union, who were forced to secure themselves in a library, and a Cornell student body member who had to take exams online due to fears for her safety.

Through the film, Sachs hopes to raise awareness about antisemitism and illustrate the broader implications for American society. “This is about all of us here in America. It’s about the West. This is about Islamic jihadism versus democracy,” she explained.

The documentary consists of various testimonies and expert opinions, including historical criticism of anti-Israel sentiments and its evolution into antisemitism during and after the 2023 attacks. It also scrutinizes the media’s role and how perceptions among young people have shifted due to social media platforms.

“October 8” is set for theatrical release on March 14, aiming to serve as an educational resource in schools to combat growing antisemitism and raise critical discourse on this pressing issue.