Daniel and the Fiery Furnace Released in Theaters
The film from directors Daniel and Matthew Kooman debuted across 1,500 locations nationwide.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Animation
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EKKL Pictures has released the animated film Daniel and the Fiery Furnace, which depicts the story of Daniel and his three friends in Babylon. The movie is currently playing in 1,500 theaters across the United States.
Why it matters
The filmmakers utilized a unique crowdfunding investment model that allows over 1,000 individuals to receive future dividends from the project. Daniel and Matthew Kooman intend for the film to illustrate the expansion of salvation to the Gentiles.
The production is currently supported by a pool of over 1,000 individual investors and is screening in 1,500 theaters. This distribution scale marks the film's initial commercial footprint.
The players
Daniel Kooman
He is a filmmaker who co-wrote and directed the project alongside his brother.
Matthew Kooman
He is a writer and director who collaborated with his brother on the script and production.
Mena Massoud
He is an actor who provides the voice and performance for the lead character of Daniel.
Elijah Alexander
He is an actor who portrays the King in the film adaptation of the biblical story.
EKKL Pictures
This is the production studio responsible for the creation and release of the film.
The details
Daniel and Matthew Kooman developed the script through verbal collaboration before finalizing an outline for the project. The film features Mena Massoud as Daniel and Elijah Alexander as the King.
Timeline
September 23, 2026: The film is currently showing in theaters.
September 2026: The documentary Breath of Life is scheduled for release.
Industry Dynamics
The project follows the established trend of using private equity crowdfunding to finance independent feature films. This approach signifies a shift away from traditional studio capital dependency in the animation sector.
Viewers can currently purchase tickets to watch the film at one of 1,500 participating theaters nationwide. The release provides audiences with an alternative to traditional studio-backed animation projects.
The takeaway
The crowdfunding model demonstrates how independent filmmakers can engage their audience directly as financial stakeholders. This project serves as a model for future independent productions looking to leverage community investment for theatrical distribution.
What happens next
The production company plans to release the documentary Breath of Life later this month, and the directors are developing additional films centered on the figures of Daniel and Jeremiah.
Further reading
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