Usman Riaz is the Co-Founder of Mano Animation Studios, Pakistan’s first hand-drawn animation studio. A versatile creative, Usman has excelled across multiple fields, from music to filmmaking. A TED Senior Fellow and the youngest TED Fellow, Usman has performed and spoken at various TED Conferences, sharing his artistic journey with global audiences.

A Berklee College of Music scholarship recipient, his albums Flashes & Sparks and Circus in the Sky were released with EMI Pakistan. In film, Usman wrote, directed, and scored short films such as RUCKUS and The Waves—the latter being an Official Selection at the 2013 New York City Independent Film Festival.

His most ambitious project, The Glassworker, highlights his storytelling and animation talents, establishing Mano Animation Studios as a leader in cultural storytelling. The film marks a pivotal moment for Pakistani cinema and traditional animation, emphasizing hand-drawn artistry in an era dominated by CGI. Usman’s work continues to inspire a new generation of creators globally.