The GlassworkerPakistan's first 2D animation, has been selected as the country's official representative for the International Feature Film category at the Oscars 2025. This is an important milestone for Pakistan's animation industry, which rarely gets noticed on the international stage. With its intricately designed visuals, The Glassworker managed to attract attention not only from animation fans, but also from movie critics around the world.
Production Details and Animation Techniques
The Glassworker is an ambitious project undertaken by Mano Animation Studios, founded by Usman Riaz, Khizer Riaz, and Mariam Riaz Paracha. The movie was produced using a completely hand-painted 2D animation technique, with a total of 14,777 cuts and 2,500 individual paintings. The project involved more than 250 people, including international team collaborations. Veteran Spanish producer Manuel Cristóbal, who is known for his Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles, also played an important role in this production.
Story and Main Characters
The animation follows the life of Vincent Oliver, a glass craftsman (glassworkerThere are two young artists, Alliz Amano, a violin prodigy, who specializes in creating art out of glass. Both grew up amidst the war that engulfed their country. Amidst the conflict that surrounds them, Vincent and Alliz must face emotional and social challenges that affect their lives. The Glassworker presents a journey of love, dreams and art, nicely set amidst the tensions of war, where patriotism and social status often suppress freedom of thought and expression.
The Long Journey of Usman Riaz and His Team
Usman Riaz started the project The Glassworker in 2014, making it a challenging 10-year journey. The project was a joint effort between Usman and the Mano Animation Studios team who worked hard to complete this 2D animation with a traditional approach. Thanks to the dedication and hard work of the entire team, The Glassworker is now internationally recognized and a symbol of Pakistani creativity.
Towards Oscar and International Acceptance
After its release in theaters on July 26, 2024, The Glassworker attracted the attention of both audiences and critics around the world. The selection The Glassworker as Pakistan's official representative for the 2025 Oscars in the International Feature Film category is a significant achievement. Although the official Oscar nominee selection is yet to be announced, the film's selection shows the great potential of animation from South Asia, especially Pakistan.
The Glassworker is a true testament to the dedication, perseverance and creativity that goes into producing high-quality animated works. Selected to represent Pakistan at the Oscars 2025, this animation brings great hope for the development of the animation industry in South Asia. We hope that this achievement is just the beginning of many that Usman Riaz and Mano Animation Studios will achieve in the future.
