The Glassworker' to represent Pakistan at 2025 Oscars

Usman Riaz directorial will vie for International Feature category

Pakistani animated film The Glassworker has been shortlisted as the country's submission for the Oscars of 2025 in the category of International Feature Film. The hand-drawn film debuted on a global scale at Annecy International Animation Film Festival and has since received both national and international acclaim, which has steered it to this feat.

With the 2024 premiere of this decade-long project on the big screen, Mano Animation Studios achieved a milestone by launching Pakistan's first 2D feature, which went on to score a nomination at Annecy for Best Film and at Shanghai International Film Festival for Best Animation Film. Now, the creators are confidently contesting for recognition at the prestigious Academy Awards.

Director Usman Riaz took to Instagram to announce the on-the-stocks achievement to his followers, "We are proud to announce that The Glassworker has been selected as Pakistan's submission for the International Feature Film category at the 2025 Oscars. This marks the first time a 2D hand-drawn animated film from Pakistan has been chosen for this prestigious honour."

He further added, "The Pakistani Academy Selection Committee stated: 'Usman and Mano's work has demonstrated exceptional storytelling and artistry while breaking new ground for animation in Pakistan. This achievement will be remembered in our cinematic history.'"

He then included his own words in the caption, "The Glassworker represents a decade of passion and perseverance. I am deeply humbled by the selection and hope this story resonates with audiences everywhere, showcasing the talent and creativity Pakistan has to offer." Finishing his statement, he said, "Stay tuned for updates as The Glassworker embarks on its journey toward the 2025 Oscars."

The Glassworker tells the tale of Vincent Oliver, an aspiring glassblower who grapples with the tolls of love and war as he navigates the calling to his family profession. Other prominent characters include Tomas Oliver, Vincent's anti-war father and mentor, and Alliz Amano, Vincent's beloved and the daughter of the Colonel commandeering the ongoing war. The visually striking narrative also incorporates supernatural elements, such as the subtle existence of spirits.

Complications enter their lives as the Olivers are shunned by society for their aversion to enlisting in the war. Matters only worsen when Colonel Amano and his soldiers show up on Vincent's doorstep and demand service from his father. He is torn between the choice to enlist and leave his son behind or produce war weapons for the military.

In 2022, The Glassworker was selected at the prestigious Annecy International Animation Festival for the year's category 'Work In Progress.'

The category acts as a barometer for future standout awards and box office successes and has previously featured Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse, Klaus and How to Train Your Dragon 2 as well.

The website for the studio shared that the project is the fruit of many talented individuals' hardwork. The Glassworker's development involved young and talented artists with a median age of 27 years and 52 per cent of the team consisting of women. It's been described as a project full of surprises that encourages diversity in animation. Mano Animation has built a collaboration network that extends to Malaysia, the Philippines, Japan, Peru, Argentina, the United States and the United Kingdom.