Usman Riaz’s The Glassworker is not just a film—it’s a milestone, a dream nurtured over years, and a testament to the power of passion and artistry. The Pakistan Academy Selection Committee recently announced it as the country’s official submission to the 2025 Oscars in the International Feature Film category, making it the first-ever Pakistani animated feature to be sent to the prestigious awards. With its hand-drawn 2D animation and emotionally evocative storytelling, The Glassworker not only represents a landmark for Pakistani cinema but is also poised to enchant global audiences with its timeless tale.
Made under the banner of Riaz’s Mano Animation Studios, The Glassworker was a film that took years to complete. Riaz, known for his musical talents and innovative vision, spent years perfecting every detail, and it shows. The film is a visual and emotional symphony—a blend of stunning artistry and deeply human storytelling that echoes the best traditions of animated cinema while carving out its own distinct voice.
At the heart of The Glassworker is Vincent Oliver, a young glassblower whose life is intertwined with the delicate and mesmerizing craft of glassmaking. The film follows Vincent as he grows up in a picturesque, fictional European town, where his father runs a glassblowing workshop. But this is not just a story about art or craftsmanship—it’s about love, loss, and the complexities of human connection, all told through the lens of a boy who comes of age in a world that is slowly crumbling around him.
Vincent’s journey is not a solitary one. Central to the story is his relationship with a young violinist, Alliz, who enters his life and changes it forever. As the years pass, their bond deepens, and the film explores the evolution of their friendship into something more profound, set against the backdrop of a looming war that threatens to shatter their idyllic world. The themes of growing up, navigating complex emotions, and dealing with the inevitability of change are masterfully woven into the narrative, making it a story that resonates far beyond its surface beauty.
What sets The Glassworker apart, aside from its powerful story, is the animation itself. In an era dominated by slick, hyper-realistic CGI, Riaz’s decision to use traditional hand-drawn 2D animation feels like a breath of fresh air. The visuals are rich and detailed, each frame meticulously crafted to convey the fragility and beauty of both glassmaking and the human experience. The use of light, texture, and color is particularly striking—whether it’s the warm glow of a glass furnace or the soft hues of a sunset, every moment in the film feels like a painting come to life. It’s a visual feast that draws the viewer in, making them feel like they are part of this delicately rendered world.
The animation style also perfectly complements the story’s emotional depth. There’s a lyrical quality to the way the characters move, interact, and express themselves, which adds to the overall impact of the film. Riaz’s background as a musician is evident in how seamlessly the visual and auditory elements work together. The score, which he composed himself, is lush and evocative, heightening the emotional beats of the story while never overshadowing the subtlety of the character interactions. It’s a reminder that sometimes the simplest, most human stories—those that focus on relationships, emotions, and the passage of time—can be the most powerful.
This project, years in the making, is a true labor of love, and it’s not just Usman Riaz who has brought this vision to life. The production team includes Khizer Riaz and Manuel Cristobal as producers, with Mariam Paracha serving as an associate producer. Executive producers Azhar Hameed, Art Malik, Ameed Riaz, and Apoorva Bakshi have also played a significant role in ensuring that The Glassworker reaches its full potential, helping Riaz’s vision become a reality. The collaborative nature of this project is clear in its final execution—this is a film that feels polished and cohesive, a testament to the hard work of everyone involved.
What makes The Glassworker even more exciting is its potential on the international stage. Pakistan’s cinema industry has seen a resurgence in recent years, but the submission of an animated feature to the Oscars marks a bold new chapter. This isn’t just an achievement for Riaz or his studio—it’s a moment of pride for Pakistan, a country whose stories have often been overlooked in the global cinematic conversation. The Glassworker stands as proof that there is a wealth of untapped talent in Pakistan, ready to tell stories that are not only culturally significant but also universally appealing.
The choice of The Glassworker as Pakistan’s official Oscar submission is a powerful statement. It shows that Pakistani cinema is evolving, embracing new forms of storytelling while remaining deeply rooted in its own traditions. And it also represents a challenge to the global film industry: to recognize and appreciate the diversity of voices and mediums that are emerging from countries like Pakistan.
Ultimately, The Glassworker is a celebration of art—both in its form and in its subject matter. It’s a film that understands the fragility of beauty, whether it’s the beauty of a piece of glass, a fleeting moment of connection between two people, or the innocence of childhood in the face of a changing world. Usman Riaz has crafted a film that feels both timeless and timely, a piece of cinema that will resonate with audiences long after the credits roll.
Whether or not it takes home the Oscar, The Glassworker is already a winner. It has broken new ground for Pakistani animation, brought attention to a country’s rich artistic potential, and most importantly, told a story that is as beautiful as it is meaningful. It’s a wonder to behold, and one that will surely leave its mark on the world stage.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Coverpage’s editorial stance
