Animated movie about Jesus’ life launched in Uganda

Kampala, (UG): First Lady and Education Minister, Hon Janet Kataaha Museveni Thursday launched the animated film about the life of Jesus in Uganda.

The film unveiling, held at Makerere University in Kampala, is one of only three that are being held worldwide for the animation, currently still in production in the US.

The film is a continuation of the 1979 Jesus film which has so far been watched over 11 billion times in up to 2100 languages around the world.

The Jesus animation movie is being developed by a team from the world’s leading amination production companies, Pixar, Dreamworks and Disney.

Mrs. Museveni, while speaking at the unveiling, hailed the film’s anticipated contribution to families in raising God-fearing young people in Uganda and around the globe.

“It is evident now how we need Jesus as we continue to walk in this season that seems to be the end times,” she said.

“As a nation, it is important that we continue to emphasise the centrality of family. It is important that parents and guardians restore the family as a primary institution for shaping and nurturing the next generation.

“Can we all take responsibility for our children’s upbringing and discipleship by being there for them and teaching them the ways of the Lord?”

Geoff Peters, one of the Jesus Film project executives said at the launch, that the animation film was developed following input from focus group discussions involving mostly non-Christian families around the world, who shared views on what they wish to see in a family movie.

Joshua Wataba, the regional strategy leader for the Jesus Film in Africa said the idea of the animated film was born out of the realization that the current generation of people needs a different form of engagement.

“We realised that we are now at the point where we feel like that old Jesus movie has served its purpose and we would want to reach out to the next generation of leaders around the world,” he said.

Lorna Magara, the Makerere University Council chairperson also expressed optimism about the “film’s potential to speak directly to this nation and the young generation.”