Tue, 21-Oct-2025

Pakistan’s First 2D Animated Film ‘The Glassworker’ Selected for Oscars 2025

The Glassworker
  • The Glassworker has been nominated for the Oscars 2025.
  • This is a historic moment for Pakistan.
  • The movie is a hand-painted animation that was released this year.

The Glassworker, Pakistan’s first-ever 2D hand-painted animated film, has been nominated for the Oscars 2025 in the International Feature Film category. This is a historic moment for Pakistan as the film is selected for Academy Award representation.

Produced by Manu Animation Studios in association with Mandviwala Entertainment, the film was written and directed by Usman Riaz. The Glassworker is a painstakingly hand-painted animation style that was released on July 26. A group of young Pakistani artists created all 2,500 of the film’s 14,777 frames.

Usman Riaz shared his excitement on Instagram, saying, “The Glassworker represents a decade of passion and perseverance.” He added, “I am deeply humbled by the selection and hope this story resonates with audiences everywhere, showcasing the talent and creativity Pakistan has to offer.”

 

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The main characters of the movie are Vincent and Alliz, two young people whose love is put to the test by the start of the war and societal expectations. Their fathers have different ideas about freedom of thought and patriotism, which presents difficulties for them.

After making its world premiere at the Shanghai Film Festival and being chosen for the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2024 competition, The Glassworker has already achieved widespread recognition. It was also shown earlier this year at the Cannes Film Festival.

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‘The Glassworker’ to Premiere at Prestigious Hiroshima Animation Festival

The Glassworker
  • The Glassworker is set to be showcased at the Japan Festival.
  • It will compete in the prestigious ‘Feature Competition’ category.
  • The film offers a visually captivating and emotional experience.

Pakistan’s first Ghibli-style animated film, The Glassworker, is set to be showcased at the Hiroshima Animation Festival in Japan on Saturday, August 17, 2024. The film has been selected to compete in the prestigious ‘Feature Competition’ category, standing out among thousands of entries from 97 countries and regions worldwide.

This significant accomplishment highlights Pakistan’s growing prowess in animation on an international platform. The Glassworker offers a visually captivating and emotionally resonant experience that has captured the attention of audiences and critics alike. Directed by Usman Riaz and Mairam Riaz Paracha, and produced by Geo Films, the film was originally released in Pakistan on July 26, 2024.

The Glassworker

Since its release, The Glassworker has achieved remarkable success, surpassing the 30 million rupee milestone at the box office. The film’s selection for the Hiroshima Animation Festival is not only a testament to the filmmakers’ dedication and creativity but also an important moment for Pakistan’s burgeoning animation industry.

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