Originally Streamed on YouTube Live Dec 6, 2024. Audio edited by Kiara Horowitz.

Produced by a team of 70+ artists from more than 24 countries, in collaboration with the global Coptic community, "The 21" is up for an Oscar nomination in 2025

Director Tod Polson made this statement:

The 2015 beheading of 21 Coptic Christians by ISIS
sent shockwaves across the globe and left a deep,
lasting impact on me personally. The martyrs’
steadfast faith in the face of overwhelming terror
was, and continues to be, both humbling and deeply
inspiring. When the opportunity arose to tell their
story, I embraced it wholeheartedly.
The creation of the film has been an incredible
journey. The story evolved slowly, shaped by
interviews with Coptic Christians, former ISIS
members, and journalists embedded with the
Libyan army. Spending time with the families of
the martyrs allowed me to better understand who
these men were, further deepening my admiration
for their courage and conviction.

The visual style of The 21 is rooted in traditional
iconography. Artists from Egypt, Syria, Ukraine,
and the United States contributed their expertise,
not only helping shape the aesthetic of the film but
also influencing my own approach to art. Animation
artists from around the
world lent their talents, each adding something
personal to the project.
My deepest hope is that The 21 serves as a tribute to
the martyrs and their families. In a world that seems
more than ever in need of such powerful examples
of faith and resilience, I believe their story is more
vital than ever.

THE21FILM.COM

Interviewer Scott Wiser is currently supervising at Steamroller Studios (supervising Lego Fortnite and animating on Spice Frontier) and has written and directed for Spacestation Animation. He is the creator of 15 deeply meaningful feature film pitches and counting. 3 of these are Kickstarted Books and one is a short film. Any producers or executives interested in collaborating or funding on Scott Wiser's projects can peruse these pitches through the application at:

www.scottwiser.com/collaborate