Ex-Disney Animator Departed over Faith Clash, Now Directs Jesus Film ‘Light of the World’
A former Disney animator is opening up about his years at the studio, saying a clash of worldviews shaped his decision to leave the company to pursue faith projects -- and ultimately to make a new film about the life of Jesus, now set for theaters.
Light of the World (PG) arrives in theaters Sept. 5, telling the story of Jesus' life through the eyes of the Apostle John, who is portrayed as a teenager eager to take the Good News not only to his friends but to the ends of the earth. It is a film by the Salvation Poem Project and executive produced by its founder, Matt McPherson.
The film is unique in that it uses hand-drawn 2D animation, the same style showcased in Disney classics of the 1990s such as The Lion King, Aladdin, and Mulan.
Light of the World co-director Tom Bancroft worked at Disney for more than a decade and was an animator on those and other classic films.
Bancroft described the film's release as perfectly aligned with God's timing.
"The world needs light," Bancroft told Crosswalk Headlines. "We have a lot of darkness in the world right now."
Bancroft worked as an animator on several of Disney's biggest hits of the 1990s, including Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Aladdin, and Mulan. A committed Christian at the time, he believed his faith and career were in harmony.
"For years, I was working on films where we're showing faith as part of the story," he explained. "Mulan would pray to her ancestors because it was a part of their culture -- ancient Chinese culture. Pocahontas prayed to basically nature because it was a part of their culture. And so we were staying true to that."
But when Bancroft worked on a short film about American folk hero John Henry -- a former slave turned freedman -- his perspective on Disney began to shift. The animators had woven in several Christian elements, such as a cross on a chapel, to reflect the faith held by many enslaved people.
"I was in a small room with only about 10 people, [and] we just screened it for the president of feature animation," Bancroft said. "At the end, he said, 'This makes me feel uncomfortable' -- and I never forgot that. It hit me like a ton of bricks."
He added, "We had to edit out a few things."
Months later, Bancroft left to work for Big Idea on VeggieTales and later with John J. Schafer on Superbook.
Schafer is co-director of Light of the World.
"If Disney [had] made a movie about the life of Jesus in the 90s," Schafer told Crosswalk Headlines, "this is that movie."
Light of the World opens with the Fall in the Garden of Eden and concludes with the death, resurrection and ascension of Christ. Following its theatrical release, the film is slated for use on mission fields around the world. Christian artist Shane and Shane sang a track for the film.
"This is the tool that a lot of parents have been asking for," Bancroft said. "They've been telling Hollywood for a while now. 'Where are those family films? Where are the things that show my faith too and do it in an entertaining way?'
"It's going to go out there and impact the world."
Photo Credit: ©Salvation Poem Project
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.
Originally published August 25, 2025.
