'Light Of The World' Trailer Arrives
Animated films based on religious texts and stories are not all that common. But they're not unheard of either, and have resulted in some well loved films such as The Prince Of Egypt and The Miracle Maker. This year, we seem to be getting an unusually high number of faith-based animations. Angel Studios' The King Of Kings is due out in time for Easter and features an all-star cast, and David (as in "and Goliath") is due out later in the year. But in between the two comes a film that might be of more interest to animation fans- whether they are believers or not.
Light Of The World is a 2D animated film about the life of Jesus Christ. It is produced by the non-profit The Salvation Poem Project. It follows Jesus through the beginning of his ministry, through to his crucifixion and resurrection (Spoilers), and is told through the eyes of the youngest disciple, John.
The film boasts an impressive array of talent including directors John J. Schafer (Superbook) and Tom Bancroft, the latter an ex-Disney alumni whose credits include Beauty And The Beast and The Lion King. Tom's brother Tony (Mulan, Mary Poppins Returns) is the film's animation director. The film is written by David M Armstrong and Drew Barton Armstrong, and produced by Brennan McPherson of The Salvation Poem Project.
"Light Of The World is the film families have been waiting for—something you can watch together, knowing it will clearly portray the truth of Jesus,” says Brennan McPherson, Producer of Light Of The World and President of The Salvation Poem Project. “We see this as more than entertainment—it’s a worldwide mission delivered through the medium of classic animation.”
Still, based on the trailer it looks like it will be plenty entertaining and seems to be written with a lightness of touch. Any faith-based flick that takes the time out to make a Jaws reference can't be taking itself too seriously.
“It has been a tremendous blessing to be part of telling the story of Jesus through the lens of one of his very own disciples,” said director and animator Tom Bancroft. “Using 2D animation to convey this narrative promises to evoke nostalgia while delivering a fresh experience.”
It's a rare privilege getting the chance to see 2D animation on the big screen these days, so it may well be that the film attracts attention beyond its target audience. The film makers hope to inspire and captivate audiences of all ages and leave a lasting impact on its audience.
The Salvation Poem Project has acquired CanZion Films, a leading distributor of Faith-based films in Latin America, in order to help expand the film's reach to Spanish-speaking viewers.
Light Of The World will be released in the United States on September 5, 2025. Releases for other countries and territories are to be announced.
SYNOPSIS:
It's 30 AD and everyone is expectantly awaiting the coming Messiah. While Jesus isn't exactly what they imagined, there is something special about this man. Soon John, James, Andrew, Peter, and their new friends begin to follow Jesus on an unexpected adventure. This beautiful, 2D-animated story of Jesus is told through the eyes of his beloved young friend, the Apostle John. From the beginning of Jesus' ministry through his crucifixion and resurrection, LIGHT OF THE WORLD powerfully illustrates how Jesus of Nazareth changed the world forever and still changes lives today! LIGHT OF THE WORLD releases in theaters, September 5, 2025.
