Pakistan’s first hand-drawn animated feature The Glassworker has released its first official trailer. Directed by Usman Riaz, the anime-influenced movie will screen at the Cannes Film Market next month and will also debut as part of the Annecy Contrechamp program in June.
The film centers on a father and son who run the finest glass workshop in a country inspired by Pakistan. An approaching war turns tears their lives apart, and the arrival of an army colonel and his talented violinist daughter Alliz tests the relationship between father and son. The voice cast includes Art Malik, Sacha Dhawan, Anjli Mohindra, and Tony Jayawardena.
“I started this journey 10 years ago in 2014,” said Usman Riaz. “No one believed it was possible. To have the film premiere at Annecy 2024 alongside some of the best-animated films in the world is a feeling I cannot really describe. I am overjoyed and in awe. No one had ever attempted to make a hand-drawn animated film in Pakistan for a very good reason – it’s impossible. We have all worked extremely hard to make this possible, I am grateful to the Annecy team for believing in The Glassworker, not just as a film, but for what it represents, which is the power of perseverance.”
Khizer Riaz added, “We have created a studio alongside a film in Pakistan through grit and passion for the craft. What started as an idea by Usman has snowballed into a full-fledged studio and hopefully the beginning of a new name in the animation industry. To be acknowledged by the international animation industry is a dream come true. We hope to continue telling original South Asian stories with Mano’s unique perspective for years to come.”
Watch the film’s trailer below:
GSource: Variety
