(The Lion) — Ten years after ISIS brutally executed 21 Christians in Libya, an animated short film, “The 21,” has been released to commemorate the martyrs’ unshakeable faith.

The film’s style was inspired by Coptic iconography and was the collaborative work of over 70 artists from more than 20 countries.

It depicts the kidnapping and torture of 20 Egyptian Coptic Christians and one Ghanaian at the hands of ISIS in late 2014 and early 2015.

Though given the chance to renounce their faith and be released, all 21 men chose to remain faithful to Christ.

On Feb. 15, 2015, the terrorists beheaded them on camera as part of their Islamist propaganda, calling their faith “cross delusion.”

They were immediately declared martyrs by the Coptic Orthodox Church, and the Roman Catholic Church also listed them as martyrs in 2023.

“The blood of our Christian brothers is a testimony that cries out,” Pope Francis said the day after the execution. “Be they Catholic, Orthodox, Copts, Lutherans, it doesn’t matter: They’re Christian!”

The father of 24-year-old victim Girgis Melad Sniout recalled last month how his son was supposed to be married in August 2015 and had taken migrant work since local jobs were rare.

“Girgis is with Jesus, and that is what matters now,” Samir said. “I have forgiven the militants who killed my son. They did not know what they were doing.

“Why shouldn’t I forgive? The Lord forgives us every second, and He forgave His own persecutors. My son is a martyr for Jesus, and that is a blessing. I pray for those who killed him – that they may see the truth and follow the light.”

Another father recalled why watching the video of his 27-year-old son’s execution was so important.

“I didn’t want to, but I needed to,” he explained. I had to know if he stayed strong until the end. I prayed constantly, asking the Lord to give him strength.

“I heard his voice, calling on the name of Jesus just before the beheading. That was his voice. I recognized him. And I was relieved. He was faithful. Jesus was with him all the way. And now, he is with Jesus. What more could a father ask for?”

Jonathan Roumie, who rose to fame for his portrayal of Jesus in The Chosen TV series and starring role in Jesus Revolution, was an executive producer of the animated film.

He told Tucker Carlson in an interview the film was “stunning” and “extraordinary.”

“These guys had the opportunity to say, ‘No, no, I’m not Christian,’ and then live, but none of them did it,” Roumie said.

“And they were just random migrant workers?” Carlson asked. “Not evangelists.”

“Christian migrant workers, poor migrant workers, I think construction or farming or something,” Roumie replied. “They wouldn’t deny their faith.”

Roumie recalled having the opportunity to watch the film with the families of the men who were martyred and said they were “full of joy” that their loved ones were with Jesus.

While the film celebrates the faithfulness of the Coptic martyrs, it is also a sobering reminder of Christ’s prediction that his followers will suffer and even die for their faith.

“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me,” Jesus said in Matthew 24:9.

“This is a reality for Christians in the Middle East,” Roumie concluded, “that their lives are on the line for their beliefs.”