Urooj Niazi 
pakistan’s first animated feature release in the united states!
The Glassworker Is The First Animated Film From Pakistan In The US
The Glassworker, Pakistan’s first hand drawn feature-length animated film, is coming to US cinemas. Created by Usman Riaz and produced by Mano Animation Studios, The Glassworker was picked up for distribution in the US by Watermelon Pictures, an organisation dedicated to promoting a diverse range of film voices from a variety of backgrounds and lifestyles.
The Glassworker is a beautiful, touching story about love, art, and conflict. It follows Vincent, a young glassblower, and Alliz, a talented violinist with a father who is a military colonel. As war breaks out in their fictional homeland, their love story faces the realities of politics, class, and the power of their own decisions.
The film takes inspiration from the work of Japan’s Studio Ghibli and was well-received for its hand-made, intricately painted scenes and incredibly impactful story. The Glassworker premiered at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in 2024 and was subsequently selected as Pakistan’s official entry to the 2025 Academy Awards for Best International Feature and Best Animated Feature.
The US release includes a special screening on May 18, 2025, at the Museum of Science in Boston where the director Usman Riaz participated with a live Q&A. Future screenings are expected across the country as a wider release of the film.
