A photograph featuring a USC film crew carrying a Nazi flag in front of the USC Bookstore sparked questions after being posted on anonymous social media platform Sidechat .
“Only at USC,” the caption reads.
A representative from the School of Cinematic Arts (SCA) confirmed Wednesday that the image actually reflects a permitted student film production titled “Tension,” which explores growing racial tensions on campus. The image captures a student production, according to the School of Cinematic Arts (SCA).
The project is part of CTPR 565: Media for Social Change, a graduate-level production class taught by John Watson and Jeremy Kagan. The course requires students to produce films intended to advocate for social change.
Joshua Flores, the student who directed this project, told Annenberg Media the film follows an Afro-Latino man who is struggling with his identity while navigating racial aggressions on a college campus.
The controversial scene in question features the protagonist walking home, only to encounter a group of white supremacists who target him with racial slurs. At one point, a Nazi flag is held up in front of the students.
The point of including the flag, Flores said, was to “start dialogue and create discussions that are necessary, real, valid, and raw.”
The project comes at a time when hate speech and symbols, particularly toward Jewish communities, are experiencing a surge. According to a 2025 report from the FBI, anti-Jewish hate-crimes have reached record levels, up 5.8% since 2024 with a 21% increase in the most severe incidents including violence.
The image, posted Monday night, showed the production crew working outside the bookstore. By Tuesday morning, the post had garnered attention across the campus community, with users questioning the presence of a hate symbol on a college campus.
“I can verify that this shoot was a permitted shoot through the school, and fully approved,” said Kristin Borella, the director of communications for SCA.
Borella said the Department of Public Safety was notified of the filming taking place. “Given the sensitive nature of the shoot, DPS was informed and signed the original production permit,” she said.
David Carlisle, assistant chief of DPS, said that he wasn’t aware of any permits in his records.
“I don’t have any info on this particular filming,” Carlisle said.
It is unclear whether the permit mentioned the use of the flag.