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The world of animation finds a new light as a former Disney animator steps away from Hollywood to embrace his faith. Tom Bancroft, known for his work on beloved characters like Mushu and Simba, now brings a powerful story of Jesus Christ to the big screen.
Bancroft describes his upcoming film, “Light of the World,” as a dream project he never anticipated. In an interview, he shared, “This honestly is the film that I never thought I wanted to do. It’s kind of a dream project that I didn’t know I was dreaming. And it’s something I’m probably prouder of than even ‘The Lion King.'” Each frame reflects his passion and commitment to conveying biblical truths through animation.
A Unique Perspective on Jesus
Co-directed by Bancroft, “Light of the World” presents an intimate portrayal of Jesus through the eyes of his young disciple, John. This coming-of-age story illustrates John’s friendship with Jesus, his grappling with the significance of the crucifixion, and the eventual realization of its profound meaning. Set to hit theaters on September 5, the film employs a classic 2D animation style reminiscent of Disney’s golden age and DreamWorks’ acclaimed work like “Prince of Egypt.”
“Honestly, it’s just the way Disney would have done it in the ’90s — without the musical,” Bancroft explained, capturing the essence of nostalgia that fans of traditional animation cherish.
Bancroft’s Journey from Hollywood to Faith-Based Animation
During his twelve years at Disney, Bancroft worked alongside some of the industry’s best as a supervising animator. He contributed to iconic films, crafting characters that resonate with audiences worldwide. However, a deep inner conflict arose as he faced challenges related to his faith amid a corporate environment. Bancroft recalls a moment from 2000 when he presented an animated short about the legendary folk hero, John Henry. This story wove themes of faith and resilience into its narrative.
During a private screening for Disney executives, one responded by saying that the film made him feel “uncomfortable” due to its religious undertones. This feedback deeply affected Bancroft. Over the years, he had championed Disney’s initiative to incorporate cultural and spiritual elements, as seen in films like “Pocahontas” and “Mulan.” But when it came to Christianity, he witnessed the sidelining of essential narratives.
“It really slammed into my face,” Bancroft admitted. “Honestly, six months from then, I left Disney, and it was because of that day.”
The Turning Point and New Beginnings
Following his departure, Bancroft became involved with projects focused on Christian animation, including the beloved children’s series “VeggieTales” and CBN’s “Superbook.” Reflecting on his journey, he acknowledges that the experience surrounding the “John Henry” short was crucial. It propelled him toward a path of creating faith-based stories that reflect his values.
Bancroft candidly points out that Disney has never been a Christian company and should not bear that expectation. Yet, he believes the studio drifted from its original family-centric vision to messages that do not align with many parents’ desires for children’s entertainment.
“Honestly, that’s what has been the defining thing of the last half of my career — trying to make family-friendly entertainment that edifies families and the Lord,” Bancroft shared.
The Birth of Pencilish Studios
In 2020, he joined forces with other seasoned animators from Disney, Nickelodeon, and DreamWorks to establish Pencilish Studios. This new venture aims to create original 2D content, leveraging the crowd-investing model to fuel creativity and innovation in animation.
A Lasting Love for Hand-Drawn Animation
Bancroft remains passionate about hand-drawn animation despite the industry’s strong shift toward computer-generated imagery. He notes the positive reception of his animation collection shared on social media, highlighting that nostalgia for traditional 2D films thrives among audiences.
“There’s a lot of nostalgia for 2D,” he stated. “People want those kinds of films to come back. And I’m blessed that I can be doing that now.”
Realizing a Vision for a Hand-Drawn Jesus
Not long ago, Bancroft connected with producer John Schafer, a colleague from “Superbook,” who envisioned bringing a hand-drawn animated feature about Jesus to fruition. Fueled by their shared faith and creative ambition, they began developing “Light of the World.” This film is fully funded by the Salvation Poem Foundation, allowing a team of industry veterans to blend their expertise with a spiritual purpose.
Bancroft expresses joy in merging his artistic skills with his faith, enjoying the creative freedom that comes with this project. “I wish that more creators could get that,” he reflected. “We’d be seeing life-changing movies just like this one all the time. It’s been a real blessing.”
Bringing Faith to a New Generation
The much-anticipated movie opens in theaters on September 5, marking a new chapter in Bancroft’s journey of story-telling. As audiences prepare for this inspiring tale of Jesus, Bancroft stands as a testament to how faith and creativity can coexist, shedding light on narratives that uplift and inspire values cherished by many.
Disney did not provide a comment regarding Bancroft’s experiences or his recent projects.
