Pakistan has shortlisted the animated film The Glassworker as its submission for the 2025 Oscars in the International Feature Film category. The hand-drawn film debuted globally at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. Since then, it has received both national and international acclaim. This recognition has steered it to this significant achievement.
With the 2024 premiere of this decade-long project on the big screen, Mano Animation Studios achieved a milestone. They launched Pakistan’s first 2D feature. The film went on to receive a nomination for Best Film at Annecy and for Best Animation Film at the Shanghai International Film Festival. Now, the creators are confidently contesting for recognition at the prestigious Academy Awards.
Director Usman Riaz announced the on-the-stocks achievement to his followers on Instagram, saying, “We are proud to announce that Pakistan has selected The Glassworker as its submission for the International Feature Film category at the 2025 Oscars. This marks the first time Pakistan has chosen a 2D hand-drawn animated film 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 Tale of The Glassworker
The Glassworker tells the tale of Vincent Oliver, an aspiring glassblower. He grapples with the tolls of love and war as he navigates his calling to the family profession. Other prominent characters include Tomas Oliver, Vincent’s anti-war father and mentor. Another key character is Alliz Amano, Vincent’s beloved and the daughter of the Colonel who is commanding the ongoing war. The visually striking narrative also incorporates supernatural elements, such as the subtle existence of spirits.
Complications arise in the Olivers’ lives as society shuns them 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 faces a dilemma: whether to enlist and leave his son behind or to produce war weapons for the military.
In 2022, the prestigious Annecy International Animation Festival selected The Glassworker for the year’s ‘Work In Progress’ category.
The category acts as a barometer for future standout awards and box office successes. It has previously featured films such as Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse, Klaus, and How to Train Your Dragon 2.
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. They have described it 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.
This news is sourced from [The Express Tribune] and is for informational purposes only.
