This project was birthed out of a vision MORE Productions’ founder Mark Rodgers had to create a counter-narrative of the 21 Coptic saints’ martyrdom. When Mark traveled to Egypt in January 2019, he was reminded that the 5th anniversary of the saints’ death is coming in February 2020. As he reflected on the courage, peace and steadfast faith of the 21, Mark was moved to pray about producing a film that would do what the ISIS propaganda piece did not: demonstrate the spiritual victory won by the martyrs as they refused, even unto death, to betray their faith and their God.
As MORE Productions began to explore the idea of a short animated film memorializing the 21, they received ample encouragement and connected with dozens of Coptics willing to help bring the project to fruition.
The team behind the 21 Martyrs film is always growing and we hope you will become a part of it, too!
Producer: MORE Productions
MORE Productions is a creative content development and consulting firm that works in multiple sectors, including feature films (e.g. Silence, The Ticket), documentaries, short films, comic books, stage plays, concerts and live events, children's literature, and impact campaigns. We are currently in post-production on a feature documentary called Refuge; are presently producing allegorical comic series through Cave Pictures Publishing; have done impact campaigns for feature films such as The Great Gilly Hopkins (the objective was to bring more families of faith and the broader faith community into foster care); and produced Babette's Feast off-Broadway last year. Additionally, MORE has provided consulting services around culture creation and impact and conducted research into Gen Z and how best to reach and mobilize that demographic.
Director: Tod Polson
Tod Polson received both his BFA and MFA from The California Institute of the Arts (Cal/Arts) under a scholarship from the Walt Disney Co. His student film, Al Tudi Tuhak, won many awards including the Student Oscar. Between degrees, Tod apprenticed under the Oscar-winning team of Chuck Jones, and Maurice Noble. Tod has worked extensively as a director, designer, and teacher, helping develop a variety of projects all over the world. Some of these projects include the Emmy award-winning El Tigre for Nickelodeon, the Oscar-nominated feature The Secret of Kells, and the Golden Globe-nominated, The Book Of Life. His animation design book, The Noble Approach: Maurice Noble and the Zen of Animation, was published by Chronicle Books LLC.
Executive Producers
Christianity Today
John Johnson
Our Partners
Special thanks to the following partners who have supported the 21 Martyrs film by donating Indiegogo rewards, advising on the project, sharing the project with their network, and participating in promotional materials.
Non-Profit Partners
Coptic Orphans
Stephen’s Children
Hands Along the Nile, with special thanks to Executive Director, Jennifer Cate
Consultants and Iconographers
Corporate Partners
Our Animators
We have an amazing team of freelance animators from all over the world brought together by their shared passion for this project. We are so grateful to the following people:
Alejandro Reyes (Mexico)
Alexandra Roll (Denmark)
Anders Waltz (Sweden)
Andrew Dous (United Arab Emirates)
Antony de Fato (USA)
Arascope (Egypt)
Arvind Jeena (India)
Athawut Vitheethum (Thailand)
Aylen Solander (Sweden)
Ben Alexander (USA)
Bishoy Gendi (UK)
Cassidy Fernandez (USA)
C’Boy Vitheethum (Thailand)
Dan Daly (USA)
Darko Cesar (USA)
Dennis Greco (USA)
Edmon Kamel (Egypt)
Emanuel Burke (USA)
Frederick Gardner Design (USA)
Hitomi Saeki (Thailand)
Jakub Bednarz (France)
Jason Francouer (USA)
Jen Liu (USA)
Jeremie Becquer (Luxembourg)
Joana Hauptmann (Denmark)
Joe Cheng (UK)
Joel Loukus (USA)
John Pomeroy (USA)
John Webber (USA)
Jowanna Barvizi (Sweden)
Kate Caillet (USA)
Kent Alfred (USA)
Larissa Van Nynatten (USA)
Len Simon (USA)
Leroy Ayton (UK)
Maahir Pandie (Canada)
Maria Blowers (Ireland)
Mike Polvani (USA)
Nathan Maetzener (Canada)
Nicolas Briellmann (Switzerland)
Nikhita Prabhudesai (India)
Nikola Seric (Serbia)
Randy Hayes (USA)
Ricardo Barahona (USA)
Rodd Miller (Thailand)
Sami Sulzer (USA)
Smita Minda (India)
Stella Adeline (Indonesia)
Steven Geer (USA)
Teodora Gavrilut (Romania)
Todd Cronin (USA)
Tony Rezk (USA)
Wanichaya Tangsutthiwong (Thailand)
Yaovaluk Kuemkhunthod (Thailand)
Yasha Habibipour (Thailand)
Financial Supporters
We couldn't do this without the many people who have come alongside us financially. Many have supported us through our initial crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo or by donating here on the website. They are listed here in no particular order. Other contributors have wished to remain anonymous.
Hunt Family
Alfred and Sahar Smith
Jedd Medefind
Mary
Larry Short
Philip and Lamar Meaders
Robert E Stafford DDS
Ernst Lutz
Sandy Hennawi
Steve Taylor
Richard Hogue
James McPherson
Shannon
Rev. Michael and Nancy VandenBerg
Mark
John
Paul
Ken Liu
Bishop Narayan Sharma
Michael Shipp
Sawyer Lake
Christina Guirguis
Andrew
Phoebe Farag Mikhail
Santiago Lopez Jover
Carol & Gino
Bruce Shaw
Magdo
Larry P
José Urbina Ñañez
Staci Montanez
Caitlyn Hall
DreShawn Earl
Jeffrey Abramson
Philopatir Attalla
Barry and Vi McVay
Carlos Campo
Elizabeth
Marcia Lynch
Eddie Fam
Jesse Wightman
Laura Morris
Michael
Hanan Atalla
Christopher Hanani
Reem Tadros
Christine Farag
Phebe Meyer
Kevin O’Brien
Kent Hill
Matt & Maria Jacoby
Don L
Kenneth D
Erik T
Tomm M
Marcel S
John K
Michael B
John K
Marcel S
Tomm Moore
Erik T
Don L
Kenneth D
David Larson
David Smith
Sherry Shenoda
Paul Husband
Finn Rüping
Hannah M
Matthew G
Robert B
Jason C
Charbel B
Heather D
Randy H
Andrew H
Sylvia M
Jonathan C
Maneesa G
Carina M
Kylart [Art by Kyla]
Alijah M
Sally A
Hany G
Fadi
Elizabeth A
Maged S
Mia and Lara
Tracy A
Eugene E
Bob Thornton
Eddie B
Clare K
Micah G
Tan M
North American Thebaid Photographic Pilgrimage Project
Derrick B
Kirsten and David Mount
Natasa
Oliver Hawkins
Angela Büett