Jewish groups block Irving film

Melbourne's Jewish community will act to prevent any future attempt to screen a film by controversial British historian and holocaust denier, David Irving.

Melbourne Underground Film Festival (MUFF) organisers cancelled the planned screening of the film on Thursday night because of fears of a protest by Jewish groups.

Future action depended on whether the film was found to be racial vilification or if MUFF decided to show it again, Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) spokesman Michael Lipshutz said.

"It all depends if MUFF have learnt their lesson or want to show it again," he said.

"We are also waiting to hear if the Equal Opportunities Tribunal will rule on whether the film constitutes racial vilification."

The council also had the option of appealing against the Supreme Court granting of permission to screen the film, which describes the Jewish Holocaust of World War II as a 50-year myth perpetrated by Jews.

The film, The Search for the Truth in History, was made by British historian David Irving after he was refused entry to Australia in 1993 for a lecture tour.

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