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April 12, 2025

AFS Cinema

an army colonel and his young aspiring violinist daughter, Alliz,shakes their reality and tests the relationship between father and son. As the love develops between Vincent and Alliz, they will need to gather up their courage to confront their fathers.

The Glassworker

Pakistan, Spain, USA | Narrative Feature

2024 | 98 mins | English,Urdu

Recorded Q&A with writer-director Usman Riaz

International South Asian Film Festival of Canada
Annecy Intl. Animation Film Festival
Hong Kong Kids International Film Festival

A young, gifted Vincent and his father Tomas run the finest glass workshop in the country and find their lives upended by an approaching war in which they want no part. The arrival in their town of

About the Artist

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Usman Riaz is the Co-Founder of Mano Animation Studios, Pakistan’s first hand-drawn animation studio. A multifaceted talent, Usman has made significant strides in various creative fields. A recipient of a full scholarship at Berklee College of Music, Usman’s musical journey is marked by his albums ‘Flashes & Sparks’ and ‘Circus in the Sky,’ both released with EMI Pakistan. His prowess extends to filmmaking, having written, directed, and scored notable short films like ‘RUCKUS’ and ‘The Waves,’ with the latter being an Official Selection at the 2013 New York City Independent Film Festival.

His ambitious project, ‘The Glassworker,’ showcases his storytelling and animation skills, promising to be a significant addition to his portfolio. Under Usman’s leadership, Mano Animation Studios has become a beacon of cultural storytelling and artistic excellence. The release not only marks a significant moment in Pakistani cinema but also elevates traditional animation on the global stage, showcasing its enduring charm over transient CGI trends. Usman Riaz’s artistic contributions continue to inspire a new generation of creators and storytellers worldwide.

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Trailer

Credits

Crew:

Director:   

Usman Riaz

Writer:

Moya O’Shea

Usman Riaz

Producer(s):

Film Editor:

Featured Cast:

     ​       

Art Malik 

Sacha Dhawan 

Anjli Mohindra 

Tony Jayawardena 

Teresa Gallagher 

Mina Anwar 

Sham Ali 

Maya Saroya 

Nila Aalia

Thank you to our community partners for this screening!

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