Latest news with #UsmanRiaz
Express Tribune
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Usman Riaz nabs Best Debut Director award
Almost a year after its release, The Glassworker keeps exceeding the mark. Usman Riaz, the creator of the Pakistani animated feature, took to social media on Friday to announce yet another win for the film. "I'm honoured to receive the Tongues on Fire, Flame Award for Best Debut Director at the UK Asian Film Festival 2025 for The Glassworker," wrote Riaz. "Bringing The Glassworker to life has been the greatest creative journey of my life, and I'm deeply grateful to the festival and jury for this recognition." While the animator himself was not present to receive the award in person, he expressed gratitude towards the fellow creative who did. "A heartfelt thank you to our brilliant screenwriter, Moya O'Shea, for attending the festival and accepting this award on my behalf." Last month, Deadline reported that the London premiere of The Glassworker was set to close the UK Asian Film Festival, which covered venues across London, Leicester, and Coventry. The Glassworker follows Vincent, a glassblower apprentice who works under his father and develops an attachment to Alliz, a violinist and the daughter of an army colonel. As the threat of war forces them to confront difficult truths, the two must find a way to face their fears and cling onto hope in times of despair. Following The Glassworker's release in 2024, Mano Animation Studios achieved a record-setting milestone by launching Pakistan's first 2D hand-drawn animated feature. The film was shortlisted as the country's official submission for the Oscars of 2025 in the category of International Feature Film. It debuted on a global scale at Annecy International Animation Film Festival and has since received both national and international acclaim. In September, Riaz took to Instagram to announce the achievement to his followers, "We are proud to announce that The Glassworker has been selected as Pakistan's submission for the International Feature Film category at the 2025 Oscars. This marks the first time a 2D hand-drawn animated film from Pakistan has been chosen for this prestigious honour." He added, "The Pakistani Academy Selection Committee stated: 'Usman and Mano's work has demonstrated exceptional storytelling and artistry while breaking new ground for animation in Pakistan. This achievement will be remembered in our cinematic history.'" He then included his own words in the caption, "The Glassworker represents a decade of passion and perseverance. I am deeply humbled by the selection and hope this story resonates with audiences everywhere, showcasing the talent and creativity Pakistan has to offer."
Arab News
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Pakistani animated film ‘The Glassworker' heads to US theaters with Watermelon Pictures
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's first hand-drawn animated film 'The Glassworker' is set to screen in the United States (US) after Watermelon Pictures acquired its distribution rights, the US-based film production and distribution company said this week. The Glassworker, released in Pakistan in July last year, was storyboarded by young Pakistani animator, Usman Riaz, who also directed the movie that comprised 1,477 cuts and 2,500 individual drawings, bringing to life the coming-of-age tale of two people from disparate backgrounds: young Vincent who is an apprentice at his father's glass workshop, and the talented violinist Alliz, the daughter of a military colonel. Around them, a war threatens to upend their lives and the relationships between the children and parents are tested. A total of 250 people worked on the film including national and international cast and crew. In a post on Instagram, Watermelon Pictures said they were proud to announce that their very first animated feature, The Glassworker, would soon be coming to US theaters. 'After being selected as Pakistan's submission to the 2025 Academy Awards, #TheGlassworker took the animation world by storm as Pakistan's first ever hand-drawn animated feature,' the distribution company said. 'An ode to Hayo Miyazaki's dedication to telling beautiful stories frame by frame, The Glassworker is truly a work of art.' The deal was closed during Cannes and negotiated by Hamza Ali for Watermelon Pictures and Hélène Espeisse on behalf of Charades, which is representing the film at this year's Marché Du Film, US entertainment website DEADLINE reported. 'The Glassworker is a breathtaking, emotional story that will resonate deeply with audiences of all ages. We are honored to bring this cinematic gem to US theaters,' Watermelon Pictures co-founder Hamza Ali was quoted as saying. Ali launched the film production and distribution company in April, 2024 along with his brother, Badie Ali, with Alana Hadid as creative director. The firm aims to amplify the voices of underrepresented filmmakers across the globe. 'We are thrilled that The Glassworker will be released theatrically in the United States by Watermelon Pictures. Their rapid growth and recent string of successful, meaningful films make them the perfect partner to bring our work to American audiences,' Khizer Riaz, the film's producer, was quoted as saying. 'We couldn't be more excited.'
Express Tribune
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Usman Riaz's hand-drawn tribute to Ghibli
Amidst the recent flood of AI-generated Studio Ghibli-inspired images, Usman Riaz, the visionary behind Pakistan's first hand-drawn animated film The Glassworker, posted a stunning Howl's Moving Castle fan poster across all his social media platforms on Tuesday. His caption pushed back against the rising trend of AI-generated art, stating: "Amidst the recent wave of Ghibli AI content, here's something I made the old-fashioned way - with years of study, love, and a deep understanding of the Ghibli style." He revealed that this particular piece was part of a 2021 series created while working on The Glassworker, purely for the joy of it, ensuring that every detail felt as authentic as possible. In doing so, Riaz not only showcased his deep appreciation for Ghibli's artistry but also emphasised the irreplaceable value of human creativity and craftsmanship. Recently, AI-generated art inspired by Studio Ghibli has taken over social media, with users prompting AI tools, especially ChatGPT, to create landscapes, characters, and dreamlike scenes in the signature hand-drawn aesthetic of Hayao Miyazaki's legendary animation house. This surge in AI-generated Ghibli-style art was made possible with the launch of a new image filter in ChatGPT, designed to refine outputs in specific artistic styles. The trend has sparked debates about the ethics of AI art, especially when it mimics the distinct style of studios that have spent decades refining their craft. While some fans are fascinated by the ability of AI to emulate Ghibli's soft, painterly look, others argue that these images lack the heart, emotion, and storytelling depth that come from real artists. Many have pointed out that Studio Ghibli itself has always championed traditional animation, with Miyazaki famously dismissing AI as a "disrespect" to human effort. The trend, therefore, stands in direct contrast to the philosophy that Ghibli embodies - one of meticulous hand-drawn artistry. Riaz, a Pakistani animator, musician, and director, pioneered work in hand-drawn animation in the country. As the founder of Mano Animation Studios, Riaz spent years bringing The Glassworker to life - a passion project inspired by the storytelling and animation techniques of Studio Ghibli. Upon its release last year, the film was dubbed by BBC as "Pakistan's first Ghibli-style animation". In the same interview, the animator recalled, "Since I was a child, I have loved hand-drawn animation and there's something so magical about it. The beauty of the lines drawn and painted by the human hand [have] always resonated with me."
Khaleej Times
24-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
The Glassworker: Pakistan's first hand-drawn animated film
Usman Riaz, a young and dynamic artist, has turned his dream into reality by creating The Glassworker, Pakistan's first-ever hand-drawn animated film. A decade in the making, the film is a groundbreaking achievement, earning Pakistan's nomination for the Oscars and setting a new standard for animation in the country. A haunting and compelling story, The Glassworker captivates audiences with its breathtaking visuals and thought-provoking narrative. Every frame, meticulously hand-drawn, breathes life into the characters, pulling viewers into an emotionally rich experience. The film's exquisite cinematography, coupled with a deeply moving script, showcases the dedication and skill poured into its creation. A Journey of Passion and Perseverance From an early age, Riaz displayed an innate talent for drawing and music. At just 21, he was invited to the TED conference in Edinburgh as the youngest participant, later earning a scholarship at Berklee College of Music. Despite opportunities abroad, Riaz returned to Pakistan, determined to pursue his passion for animation and storytelling. 'There were many challenges as Pakistan is still raw when it comes to film production. Though recent hits like Maula Jatt have been produced, the industry still lacks financial support, technical expertise, and production skills. The government needs to step in to help the industry grow.' Undeterred by these obstacles, Riaz built Mano Animation Studios, bringing together like-minded artists who believed in his vision. Key collaborators, including Maryam Paracha and Khizer Riaz, stood by him, sharing his passion despite skepticism from many in the industry. A Decade of Hard Work To refine his animation techniques, Riaz travelled to Japan, immersing himself in the art of hand-drawn animation. Once Mano Animation Studios was established, the real work began — relentless hours of drawing, refining, and perfecting each frame. Over time, talented artists from Japan, Thailand, Korea, and Spain joined his ambitious project, adding a global touch to the film. The film's carefully crafted dialogues, soul-stirring music, and beautifully detailed scenes came together after ten years of dedication and passion. The final product is not just a movie — it's a work of art. 'No one has ever attempted a film like The Glassworker in Pakistan. A fully hand-drawn feature film is a rarity, and I have poured my heart and soul into it for almost a decade.' A New Era for Pakistani Animation Beyond its artistic brilliance, The Glassworker carries a powerful message: 'Bloom wherever you are planted.' This philosophy reflects Riaz's own journey - overcoming challenges, defying expectations, and creating something truly extraordinary. With The Glassworker, Pakistan has taken its first step into the world of hand-drawn animation. The film's international recognition proves that, with the right support and investment, the country has the potential to thrive in the animation industry. Usman's journey is a testament to perseverance and artistic passion, inspiring a new generation of Pakistani filmmakers to dream big and push creative boundaries.
