It’s not every day an animated movie emerges from Pakistan — and if it’s feature length, 2D hand-drawn animation, that’s virtually unheard of coming from this region of South Asia. For Usman Riaz, creator, animator, co-composer and director of The Glassworker, it took dedication and perseverance to bring this first-of-its-kind animation from Pakistan in front of a global audience.

Ever since The Glassworker’s first images were released, animation fans worldwide have been anticipating the release of Pakistan’s first 2D-animated feature. The stunning, handcrafted movie, which is deeply influenced by the work of Japanese master Hayao Miyazaki, is directed by Usman Riaz and produced by his cousin Khizer Riaz and the team at their Karachi-based studio, Mano.

The Glassworker , the first hand-animated Pakistani film, is a triumph. In the anime style and with a strong influence of Studio Ghibli, this story of impossible love in times of war directed by Usman Riaz captivates thanks to its audiovisual elements and a narrative that, although inconsistent, weaves together themes such as nationalism and classism. effectively.