“The Glassworker,” an Annecy selection, releases its first trailer and announces its Cannes Market and Pakistan release dates (EXCLUSIVE)
The first trailer for Usman Riaz’s Annecy selection, “The Glassworker,” has been released. The movie has a date scheduled for its Pakistani theater premiere in addition to screening at the Cannes Film Market.
The animation will have its premiere at the Contrechamp strand of Annecy. Family-friendly, the film tells the tale of young Vincent and his father Tomas, who own the best glass studio in the nation, and how their lives are turned upside down by an impending war in which they have no desire to participate. It is mostly set in a setting that was partially inspired by Pakistan. Their world is upended and their father-son bond is put to the test when an army colonel and his young, gifted daughter, Alliz, arrive in their village.
Art Malik (“Man Like Mobeen”), Sacha Dhawan (“Wolf”), Anjli Mohindra (“The Lazarus Project”), and Tony Jayawardena (“Ackley Bridge”) are among the voice actors. It is created by worldwide production company Awedacious Originals, headed by “Delhi Crime” producer Apoorva Bakshi, and produced by Riaz’s Pakistan-based Mano Animation Studios. This is the nation’s first hand-drawn animated film.
Bakshi is an executive producer, and producers Manuel Cristobal (“Wrinkles”) and Khizer Riaz are involved.
Charades is in charge of international sales and on May 14 and 15, it will present “The Glassworker” to potential purchasers at the Cannes Market. On July 26, Mandviwala Entertainment will present the movie in Pakistan.
“I started this journey ten years ago in 2014,” Usman Riaz said. Nobody thought it was feasible. It’s hard for me to put into words how it feels to have the movie debut at Annecy 2024 among some of the greatest animated movies ever made. I’m amazed and ecstatic. For good reason—it is impossible—no one has ever tried to create a hand-drawn animated film in Pakistan. We have all put in a great deal of effort to make this happen, and I am appreciative to the Annecy team for believing in “The Glassworker,” not just as a movie but also for what it stands for—the strength of tenacity.
“We have created a studio alongside a film in Pakistan through grit and passion for the craft,” Khizer Riaz said. What began as Usman’s concept has grown into a full-fledged studio and, ideally, the birth of a new brand in the animation sector. It is an honor to be recognized by the global animation community. For many years to come, we want to keep presenting original South Asian tales from Mano’s distinct viewpoint.
“The Glassworker” is a monument to the unbounded inventiveness and commitment that go into the hand-drawn technique of Japanese-style animation, according to Bakshi. Usman’s unwavering dedication and skill as a storyteller go beyond simple regionalism to show that this art form is an emotion in and of itself. Originating from an awareness of the complexity of conflict, it inspires a global call to action for peace. The film’s deep emotional heart is just as brilliant technically as it is. We are certain that its powerful message will strike a chord with viewers everywhere.
