'Light Of The World' Opens on September 5
Tom Bancroft is a legitimate animation legend. He worked at Disney during its Renaissance era, working as an animator on Beauty and The Beast, Aladdin and The Lion King. He worked his way up to character design and supervising animator for Mushu in Mulan. He stayed at Disney for about thirteen years, leaving in 2000. He later founded his own independent studio, Pencilish. Tom's latest project as director is bringing 2D animation back to the big screen in a big way with Light Of The World.
Light of The World is a new retelling of the life of Jesus Christ. It follows his life from ministry through to his crucifixion, as seen through the eyes of Apostle John. Bancroft directs alongside John Schafer, former director of faith-based series Superbook. Tom's twin brother Tony is the film's animation director.
The film is produced by non-profit The Salvation Poem Project. It 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.”
“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.”
The film offers a rare chance to see a new traditionally 2D animated feature on the big screen, as well as offering a new way to experience the story of the Gospels.
The distributor describes the story:
It’s AD 30 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 arrives in more than 1,500 cinemas across the United States from September 5. Buy tickets here.
