Engaging families, new generations and people of all ages with a new animated film – JESUS
Our Vision
To mobilise Australian churches and believers to reach families through JESUS… targeted for release in 34 countries, in 100 languages in Christmas 2026.
Our desire is for everyone to get an opportunity to engage with Jesus in their heart language.
YOU can make a difference! As churches work together, families bringing their children and friends to see JESUS in cinemas all across Australia, let’s see new generations come to faith in Christ.
Imagine what could be accomplished with…
10,000+
churches praying and
working together
500
cinemas across
our nation
2,000+
Screenings
of the film
Let’s see cinema screenings of JESUS filled across the land, hosted by churches, and schools bringing all their students to see JESUS.
Together, let’s trust God for one million+ Australians to engage with JESUS in cinemas in 2026, and streaming platforms beyond. Will you, your church, your faith community, take up this incredible, historic opportunity to make JESUS accessible to ALL Australian children and their families? Come, begin this journey with us to see whole new generations come to faith in Christ.
About
JESUS is a new animated family film about the life of Jesus designed to reach families, new generations and people of all ages. Planned for global cinematic release Christmas 2026 in 100 languages in 34 countries, JESUS will eventually be in 2,000+ languages.
Anchored in the Gospels, JESUS re-imagines the original JESUS film released in 1979 by Jesus Film Project. The new animation builds on a legacy of global impact that includes an estimated 10+ billion viewings of JESUS and their various films, 600+ million indicated decisions to follow Christ, and 40+ years of Bible translation work alongside 1,800+ ministry partners – working together to help the global church reach everyone, everywhere.
Together with our partners, Power To Change is seeking to help mobilize thousands of churches of all denominations, schools, business and media organisations across Australia to see whole new generations of Aussies engage with the story of Jesus.
A successful cinematic launch in Christmas 2026 is just the beginning! It will generate enormous momentum here in Australia, with a ripple effect in other countries around the world! This will then enable JESUS to become a fantastic ministry tool with exciting new opportunities to use the parts of the film for children’s ministry or new CRE curriculums; and for rich, immersive bible studies using the VR (virtual reality) capability extends the reach into youth and young adult ministry.
You can learn more about…
The Animation Team
Award-winning animators called by God to tell this story.
Click to expand +
JESUS Film Project
Breaking language and literacy barriers to share God’s love.
Click to expand +
Power To Change
Working to spread the word of God since the 1980s.
Click to expand +
Partnerships
At Power To Change, we seek to offer JESUS as an innovative ministry tool to be used by the whole body of Christ to reach everyone, everywhere.
We eagerly desire to build many open-handed partnerships all across Australia and New Zealand of all shapes and sizes and also with passionate people just like YOU.
Types of Partners
Peer Agency Partners – to mobilise JESUS opportunities within your sphere of influence – e.g. Child Development, Media, Missions Education & Resources, and Schools.
Donor Partners – to give generously to mobilise believers to reach the nations – e.g. Trusts, Foundations, Church Mission Committees, and Individual Donors.
Business Partners – to bring your expertise, services and clients to the mission.
Current Business Partners include Movies Change People (AUS), Premise Entertainment (US), and Jersey Road.
Local Church/Denominational Partners – to mobilise your church(es) to reach out via the new JESUS film.
Individuals – to pray and to help us spread the word within your circle of influence about the new JESUS film.
Stories
Check out the amazing stories of lives changed by the original JESUS film!
JESUS is for everyone, everywhere: Christians who know the gospel well and people who aren’t Christians who are interested in learning the real story of the man named Jesus.
FAQs
What is the message of the film?
Through animation, the film will bring the gospels to life to reach people everywhere with the hope of Jesus. In over 2,000 languages, the film will bring the Gospel to our 21st century world.
What production team is working on JESUS?
The animation studio Premise Entertainment is the production partner on the film. They are a team comprised of gifted and experienced digital artists, whose credits include Pixar, Disney, and Star Wars.
Is JESUS historically accurate? Is it biblical?
Jesus Film Project has employed credentialed historians, archaeologists and theologians to ensure historical accuracy in every frame of the film. For more information see Historical Research to Artwork. The film is a direct telling of the gospels from the Christian Bible, with filmmakers who are committed to making the film biblically accurate.
What is the legacy of the 1979 JESUS film?
The original film JESUS is a 1979 film by Jesus Film Project. It is the most translated film in history, available in more than 2,000 languages and has been shown in 225 countries. As of September 2022, the film has been estimated to have been viewed over 10 billion times. Paul Eshleman was the visionary behind the 1979 JESUS film and the first executive director of Jesus Film Project. Paul spearheaded the initiative to translate the film into hundreds of languages.
What are some innovations with JESUS?
Why feature-film animation?
Animated storytelling is exploding, and JESUS will share the gospel through a medium that is ever-expanding; thereby continuing the Christian legacy of making the story of Jesus as accessible as possible.
How is the production of JESUS being funded?
The production of JESUS (with a project budget of USD150M) is being funded with the generous support of partners, sponsors, and donors from all around the world, who believe in sharing the hope, love and forgiveness of Jesus with all people everywhere.
Will JESUS be available in my language?
Most likely! JESUS will be available in 100 languages upon release and then go on to be available in over 2,000 languages, just like the original JESUS film.
When will JESUS be released?
A global theatrical release in December 2026 is planned for JESUS in 34 countries; the film will also be available on digital platforms. Watch out for the trailer coming out in July 2026!
I like the sound of JESUS; what do I do now?
Follow the creative journey between now and the release and tell others about it by downloading ASJ Insider. Prepare your church or school to watch the film when it is released in Christmas 2026. Like the original film, JESUS can and should be utilised by Christians as a ministry resource to share the gospel and as a support for discipleship to encourage and teach other Christians.
About the Animation Team
We’re humbled by the award-winning team of animation experts God has called to produce the film and tell the story of God’s love with historical authenticity and in beautiful, compelling animation.
Both the film’s director and screenwriter are credited with hits like Disney’s Mulan and The Lion King. The production team also includes world-renowned biblical archaeologists and theologians who are guiding the creation of every scene to ensure a truly biblically and historically accurate film.
Dominic Carola
Director
Learn more +
Barry Cook
Head of Story
Learn more +
Armand Serrano
Production Designer
Learn more +
Ray Aguerrevere
Producer
Learn more +
Lauren Stevens
Lead Editor
Learn more +
Dominic Carola
Director
With a love for visual storytelling, Dominic Carola continues to pursue the dreams laid on his heart as both entrepreneur and artist in the film and animation industry as an award-winning director and producer.
With a long history at Walt Disney Feature Animation, Mr. Carola served as Lead Animator on “Lilo & Stitch” and animated on such films as “Mulan” and “Brother Bear”. Other film credits include “John Henry”, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”, “Pocahontas” and “The Lion King”.
Since founding Premise Entertainment, Carola produces projects of varying scope. He has overseen productions for Florida-based teams ranging from television projects to theatrical features for Universal, DreamWorks and others. He has also served as the Head of Production for the Florida units on Universal Pictures’ “Curious George” as well as several other animated productions including Walt Disney’s “Winnie The Pooh: Springtime with Roo” and “Goofy’s: How To Hook Up Your Home Theater. Premise Entertainment was privileged to be a partner studio for Walt Disney’s film “The Princess and The Frog”.
Since 2005, Carola has been working with CRU directing such animated short films as the powerful award-winning “Legion” and “Chosen Witness” as well as the recently nominated First Nations’ “Retelling The Good Story: Creator Sets Free”. Currently he is directing an animated feature film on the life of Jesus set for a future release date.
Mr. Carola enjoys being associated with family-friendly content with a positive uplifting message for audiences worldwide. Dominic and his wife have two grown sons and reside in Central Florida.
Ray Aguerrevere
Producer
A 14-year Premise Entertainment veteran, Ray Aguerrevere has played a key role in setting strategic direction, business development, and negotiating service agreements with major studios like Disney, Universal, and Dreamworks.
His experience combines leading global teams for these leading studios in feature animation, visual effect, and live film production. Mr. Aguerrevere has a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance from the University of Central Florida and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Florida.
Aguerrevere was privileged to be part of the team that partnered with Walt Disney on the production of THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG film, and DreamWorks’ ME AND MY SHADOW development feature. He recently was a producer for the film DON’T SAY MY NAME, that dealt with the heartbreaking reality of human trafficking. Ray is also an Executive Producer of an 8-part sci-fi series called BEING, as well as a historical animated feature film slated for a global theatrical release in 2025.
Barry Cook
Head of Story
Barry Cook made his feature film directing debut on the animated Disney film“Mulan”.
The movie received nine ASIFA “Annie” Awards including an award for Cook for Outstanding Individual Achievement for Directing. At the age of 18, an internship at Hanna-Barbera Studios provided his first job in the animation industry. In 1981, he joined Disney as an effects animator on the film, “TRON.” He went on to supervise effects for other Disney films including “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Little Mermaid,” and “Aladdin.” He also created visual effects for Michael Jackson’s “Captain EO”. At Disney’s Florida studio, Cook directed an innovative CG short film titled “Off His Rockers” released theatrically in 1992. Next was the Roger Rabbit short “Trail Mix-Up”, a co-production with Amblin Entertainment. After the release of “Mulan”, Cook developed other properties for Disney including his ode to Appalachian art and music known as “My Peoples”. He also wrote a live-action screenplay while still at the studio titled “Skunk Ape”.
Following the closure of Disney’s Florida studio in 2004, Cook wrote an original screenplay titled “The Cat & the Fiddle”. In 2006 Cook signed with Starz Animation to develop the animated property “Mean Margaret”. In 2008 LAIKA Entertainment hired Cook as development director for the feature project “Jack & Ben”. In February of 2009 Cook signed with Aardman Animations as co-director for the feature “Arthur Christmas” released in 2011. In 2013 Barry worked with BBC Earth and 20th Century Fox to direct the live action/animation feature “Walking with Dinosaurs”.
For more than a decade, Barry has worked as a writer, producer and director on several short film projects including the Anime title “My Last Day” produced by Studio 4C in Tokyo and a surreal live-action short titled “BLINKER”. He is currently writing the screenplay for the animated feature “GESAR” and is in pre-production on his next live-action short.
Armand Serrano
Production Designer
Armand made his feature film directing debut on the animated Disney film “Mulan”.
The movie received nine ASIFA “Annie” Awards including an award for Cook for Outstanding Individual Achievement for Directing. At the age of 18, an internship at Hanna-Barbera Studios provided his first job in the animation industry. In 1981, he joined Disney as an effects animator on the film, “TRON.” He went on to supervise effects for other Disney films including “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Little Mermaid,” and “Aladdin.” He also created visual effects for Michael Jackson’s “Captain EO”. At Disney’s Florida studio, Cook directed an innovative CG short film titled “Off His Rockers” released theatrically in 1992. Next was the Roger Rabbit short “Trail Mix-Up”, a co-production with Amblin Entertainment. After the release of “Mulan”, Cook developed other properties for Disney including his ode to Appalachian art and music known as “My Peoples”. He also wrote a live-action screenplay while still at the studio titled “Skunk Ape”. Following the closure of Disney’s Florida studio in 2004, Cook wrote an original screenplay titled “The Cat & the Fiddle”. In 2006 Cook signed with Starz Animation to develop the animated property “Mean Margaret”. In 2008 LAIKA Entertainment hired Cook as development director for the feature project “Jack & Ben”. In February of 2009 Cook signed with Aardman Animations as co-director for the feature “Arthur Christmas” released in 2011. In 2013 Barry worked with BBC Earth and 20th Century Fox to direct the live action/animation feature “Walking with Dinosaurs”.
For more than a decade, Barry has worked as a writer, producer and director on several short film projects including the Anime title “My Last Day” produced by Studio 4C in Tokyo and a surreal live-action short titled “BLINKER”. He is currently writing the screenplay for the animated feature “GESAR” and is in pre-production on his next live-action short film “Sideshow”.
Lauren Stevens
Lead Editor
Lauren Stevens grew up surrounded by a family of film fans. From watching black and white classics with her grandparents, to big blockbuster movies with her parents and two siblings, film and family were always deeply intertwined throughout Lauren’s upbringing.
This had a significant impact on Lauren’s storytelling abilities, and her passion to create human-centered films with real people, and real emotion. Lauren’s empathetic approach to film making pairs well with her natural skill to pace the timing and rhythm of film scenes editorially. With over 15 years of post production video editing experience, Lauren has excelled at knowing when it’s best to sit in a moment and allow the audience to connect with the main character, as well as when to let her editing timeline take its shape from the rhythmic flow of a music composition. Lauren works as a full time editor at Premise Entertainment, and also serves as the owner and founder of LAS Directions, LLC, a small production company serving the New York Tri-State area, where she offers post production video editing services to local businesses, schools and independent filmmakers.
When she isn’t spending countless hours in the editing room, she spends the rest of her time with family and friends watching films, after all, that’s how it all started. Her professional experience includes working at 20th Century Animation, Walt Disney Studios, NBC Sports, The 2020 Tokyo Olympics and News 12 Connecticut.
About JESUS Film Project
We’re passionate about sharing Jesus with the world because we believe everyone, everywhere should have access to His life-changing love and forgiveness.
That’s why, by God’s grace and through the help of our partners, our Christian films are available in over 2,000 different languages. They are designed to break language and literacy barriers so anyone can watch—no matter where they are in the world.
About Power To Change (formerly known as Campus Crusade for Christ Australia)
Our story begins with a passion for people! We desire everyone to have an encounter with Jesus so they may understand the hope his story brings.
We have a heart for Australia, that our country will experience the joy of knowing Jesus. And, our calling is for the nations to know God and his love for them that lasts for eternity.
In the 1990’s and 2000’s, working with churches of all denominations right across Australia, over 750,000 videos and DVD’s in over 1,000 languages were distributed to homes under a nation-wide campaign called JESUS: Gift to the Nation. During that time an estimated one million+ Australians were exposed to Jesus’ story!
Power to Change is part of an international network known as Cru Global founded in 1951. Today, with more than 19,000 staff members in over 190 countries, Cru offers spiritual guidance, resources and programs tailored for people from all cultures in every walk of life.
