Pakistan’s first hand-drawn animated film ‘The Glassworker’ has been selected as Pakistan’s official entry for the 2025 Oscars in the International Feature Film category, the Pakistan Academy Selection Committee announced.
The selection marked a significant achievement as it is Pakistan’s first feature-length hand-drawn animated film and the country’s inaugural animated entry for the Oscars.
The Glassworker has been produced by Geo Films in collaboration with Mano Animation Studios.
“This selection marks a historic milestone, as The Glassworker is Pakistan’s first 2D hand-drawn animated feature and the country’s first animated feature to ever be submitted for the Oscars. Usman and Mano’s work has not only demonstrated exceptional storytelling and artistry but has also broken new ground for the animation industry in Pakistan. This is an achievement that will be remembered in the annals of our cinematic history,” shared Mohammed Ali Naqvi, chairman of the Pakistani Academy Selection Committee.
The film took years to complete and was released in Pakistan on July 26, this year, long after its initial announcement. Reflecting on the journey, Usman Riaz, Founder and Director at Mano Animation Studios, said:
“The Glassworker represents a decade-long journey of passion and perseverance. This film is a love letter to cinema, and it was my passion for the art form that drove me to create a film like this in a country where such artistic endeavors are rare.”
Riaz expressed his gratitude towards the selection committee, stating, “I am deeply humbled by the trust and faith the selection committee has placed in our film. I hope this story resonates with audiences everywhere, transcending borders and showcasing the depth of talent and creativity that Pakistan has to offer.”
Set in a war-torn country, the Ghibli-style animation film follows the story of Vincent Oliver, a young glassworker, and violin prodigy Alliz Amano. As they grow up amidst the turmoil of war, they face challenges in pursuing their dreams and relationships, making the film a powerful exploration of artistry, love, and resilience in the face of adversity.
The film was written and directed by Riaz, with the screenplay by Moya O’Shea and music composed by Carmine DiFlorio and Riaz. It was produced by Khizer Riaz and Manuel Cristobal, with Mariam Paracha as an associate producer and Azhar Hameed, Art Malik, Ameed Riaz, and Apoorva Bakshi as executive producers.
This year’s Pakistani selection committee, chaired by Naqvi, included filmmaker Saqib Malik, producer Abid Merchant, actors Mohib Mirza, Humayun Saeed, Vasay Chaudhry, and Alina Khan, as well as directors Kanwal Khoosat, Anam Abbas, Afia Nathaniel, Grammy-winning artist Arooj Aftab, producer Fizza Ali Meerza, former PTV general manager Moneeza Hashmi, and Film Fund founder Akbar Hamid.