“Time Hoppers”: an animated film that introduces Muslim history to the general public

Since February 6, Time Hoppers: The Silk Road is showing in hundreds of theaters across the United States and Canada. Broadcast in more than 650 cinemas, this animated feature film marks an important milestone in the history of North American cinema. This is in fact the first release of such magnitude for an animated film designed by Muslim creators. This exceptional cast shows that there is a real audience for diverse and inclusive cultural stories that have long remained on the fringes of the industry.

The film tells the adventure of four brilliant students capable of traveling through time. Their mission is to protect great Muslim scholars of the past from a malicious alchemist who seeks to alter history to his advantage. Designed for children and families, Time Hoppers: The Silk Road mix of action, humor and historical discovery. The fast pace, accessible dialogues and suspenseful situations captivate young people while offering several reading levels to adults.

Muslim heroes far from clichés

Behind this project are Flordeliza Dayritco-writer and director, and Michael Miloproducer. This Canadian couple has worked in children’s media for many years. Their ambition is to create positive and universal stories, in which Muslim children can finally recognize themselves. Flordeliza Dayrit explains that Muslim characters are still too often absent from mainstream cinema or locked into negative representations. With Time Hoppersshe wanted to offer intelligent, courageous and caring Muslim heroes, capable of inspiring pride and confidence in young spectators.

This desire for representation translates into complex, united and curious characters about the world. They are not defined only by their religious identity, but by their human qualities and their sense of responsibility. The film thus shows that Muslim children can be universal heroes, with whom all young people can identify, whatever their origins.

Rediscover the scientific heritage of the Muslim world

The film also highlights a little-known part of Muslim history: that of the scholars, thinkers and educators who contributed to the progress of humanity. Through characters inspired by historical figures like Al-Khwarizmiwhose work laid the foundations of algebra, or Fatima al-Fihriyafounder of the first university in the world, the film recalls the central role of the Muslim world in the history of science and knowledge. This educational approach allows children to discover these heritages in a fun way, without religious discourse, but with a strong educational dimension.

Produced by Milo Productions and distributed by Fathom Entertainmentthe film met with great enthusiasm even before its official release. Tens of thousands of tickets were sold in pre-sale despite a limited marketing budget. This success is largely due to the support of local communities, families and teachers who actively encouraged the screenings. Several well-known Muslim personalities also lent their voices to the characters, strengthening trust around the project.

Even if Time Hoppers: The Silk Road is not a religious film, its creators wish to show that Muslim culture has its place in mainstream cinema and entertainment. To ensure accurate representation, the team worked with historians and specialists, including the MPAC Hollywood Bureau. With this film, the creators hope to pave the way for other similar productions and prove that Muslim stories can entertain, educate and reach audiences far beyond their original community.