New animated film honors legacy of 21 Coptic Martyrs on 10th anniversary of their martyrdom

CNA Staff, Feb 15, 2025 / 08:00 am (CNA).

On Feb. 15, 2015, ISIS militants brutally executed 21 Coptic Christian prisoners on a beach in Libya. Now, on the 10th anniversary of their martyrdom, a short animated film called “The 21” is honoring these 21 men who died because of their unwillingness to deny their faith in Jesus Christ.

The 13-minute short, animated film was made by MORE Productions in collaboration with the global Coptic community. Actor Jonathan Roumie, best known for his portrayal of Jesus in the hit series “The Chosen,” served as the film’s executive producer.

“The 21” can be viewed for free on www.the21film.com from Feb. 14–17. After that viewers will have to provide an email in order to get access to watch it.

Mark Rodgers, founder of MORE Productions, visited Egypt in 2019 and felt called to create a film that highlighted the spiritual victory of the martyrs. “The 21” presents an accurate narrative of the men’s abduction, detention, and execution. It was developed based on extensive research and multiple conversations with family members, friends, and Coptic clergy who knew the 21 men.

Original music was composed and recorded by the Ayoub Sisters, classically trained musicians who incorporate Coptic hymns and liturgy into their music.

The film is also unique in that it uses neo-Coptic iconography. Tod Polson, former creative director at Cartoon Saloon, led a team of over 70 world-class artists from more than 70 countries over the course of five years to create the film’s animation style.

“As Christians, we know that death is not the end, nor even the greatest thing to fear. These brave men’s stories need to be told and shared so that the world will know in whom we find the ultimate example of hope … one that is never extinguished,” Roumie said in a press release.

“It’s up to those of us in the creative community to make films like this to spotlight and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their faith: martyrs (and their families) who have shown the rest of us what discipleship truly means and what sainthood looks like,” he added. “God’s love transcends and renews all things.”

In May 2023, Pope Francis added the Coptic men to the Roman Martyrology, the Catholic Church’s official list of saints, recognizing them as martyrs. This was the first time in history that Coptic Christians were recognized as martyrs by the Catholic Church.