Computers can be a useful tool; heck, I’m typing this very post on one right now. They’ve undeniably reshaped the animation landscape, both for better and worse. Classic hand-drawn 2D animation feels like a relic, a sparkling gem mostly lost to the age of CGI and rapid digital production. But here comes a refreshing breeze: the new Christian animated film, The Light of the World, hitting theaters today, September 5th, is boldly stepping back into the 2D animation realm. As noted on the film’s website, lightoftheworld.com, “Hand-drawn animation is a timeless medium that retains its beauty over many decades. It contains all the subtle flaws we’ve come to call 'human.'” What a beautiful sentiment! It’s a fitting tribute to Jesus—the only flawless figure to ever tread this Earth.

Directed by the talented John Schafer, known for producing the beloved program Superbook (which, I must confess, I had not heard of until now), and alongside animator Tom Bancroft, who has a rich history with Disney, having worked on masterpieces like The Lion King, Mulan, and Beauty and the Beast, this film is the inaugural offering from the Salvation Poem Project—a ministry dedicated to spreading the message of Christ to the world.