“The Glassworker” makes history as Pakistan's first official Oscar nomination

Pakistan’s first 2D hand-painted animated film, The Glassworker, has been selected for the Oscars 2025 in the International Feature Film category, marking a major milestone for the country’s representation at the prestigious awards.

The Glassworker is written and directed by Usman Riaz, and produced under the banner of Manu Animation Studios in collaboration with Mandviwala Entertainment.

Each frame of the film is meticulously hand-painted, featuring 14,777 cuts and 2,500 individual paintings created by a team of young artists. The animated film was released in theaters on July 26.

Director Usman Riaz shared the exciting news on Instagram, stating, “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,” he added.

The film explores themes of love, war, society, and freedom of thought, centering around two characters, Vincent and Alliz.

In the story, Vincent and his father Tomas run a glass workshop, but their lives are upended when war breaks out in the country and they feel reluctant to take part in the conflict.

Alliz, the daughter of an army colonel, arrives in their town with her family. Vincent and Alliz develop feelings for each other, but their relationship faces constant challenges due to their fathers' differing worldviews.

The film is set in a time when patriotism and social standing are considered more important than free thought and artistic pursuits, leaving no room for love.

In an earlier interview, Usman Riaz shared, "I started this journey 10 years ago in 2014; no one believed it would be possible."

A dedicated team of 250 people worked to bring this remarkable work of art to life.

The film premiered at the Shanghai Film Festival and was selected for competition at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2024. It was also screened at the Cannes Film Festival in May.