Pakistan’s first hand-drawn animated feature, The Glassworker, is set to release nationwide on July 26, 2024. Do you know what The Glassworker is about? Or who the talented individual behind this groundbreaking project is? Meet Usman Riaz, the creative genius behind Pakistan’s first hand-drawn animated feature. This is a proud moment for all of us, and Usman Riaz’s incredible talent is something you need to know more about! We had the opportunity to speak to him, read this FUCHSIA exclusive.
Usman Riaz is a powerhouse of talent from Pakistan, celebrated for his multifaceted artistic skills. Starting with playing the piano as a child and then mastering the guitar, his unique and intricate compositions have won hearts worldwide and led to performances at prestigious events like TEDGlobal. But that’s just the beginning! Usman is also a brilliant filmmaker and animator, constantly exploring new creative horizons. His passion and innovation make him a standout figure, continually reshaping Pakistan’s cultural scene.
The Glassworker, Pakistan’s first hand-drawn animated feature is directed by him and produced by Mano Animation Studio, which also comes under his name. We were lucky enough to talk to incredibly talented Usman Riaz, read on to know more about him!
Usman Riaz Made It To Global 5 Films Festival & Here’s How Felt!
I was very anxious. In the hall, there were 500 people when I delivered the talk.
Usman Riaz
He shared that he made it to five film festivals, including Cannes, one of the most prestigious in the entertainment industry. He shared that initially, he felt anxious, screaming before the first screening. In the hall, 500 people attended his talk, adding to the pressure. Before the film, his partners Khizar and Mariam gave talks, and then they let the movie speak for itself.
The response at Annecy was amazing, he said, considering it the most prestigious animation festival globally. Their film was selected as one of the 11 in the Contrechamp official competition, which was a significant honor. He expressed gratitude, acknowledging that many do not get such opportunities, especially with their first film. He highlighted that they went to Cannes Film Festival before Annecy, where they talked about Mano Animation Studios at the American Pavilion.
After Cannes and Annecy, they attended the Guadalajara Film Festival in Mexico, another prestigious event. Screenings there received a very good response. They then showcased their film at the Shanghai International Film Festival, the biggest film festival in China. He mentioned that the film was shown in the official competition, which was an excellent experience.
Looking ahead, he shared their plans to take the film to Japan for the Hiroshima Animation Festival in August. Indeed, a proud moment for all of us, for all the Pakistanis living in Pakistan and abroad as well.
Usman Riaz’s Journey From Passion To Creation
He said he never thought about balancing music, drawing, and animation, as he was just fond of creating things. He enjoyed making things, avoiding parties, and other social activities. He shared that after school, he would get into music and practice, not aiming to achieve anything, just enjoying the process. Similarly, he drew because he liked making things, never thinking about becoming a director or composer.
The main thing is storytelling. I enjoy good stories. I enjoy bringing those stories to life.
Usman Riaz
He further shared with us that as he got older, he began to realize he could create his own things. He mentioned that playing classical music, with its repertoire-heavy nature, taught him other people’s compositions like Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, and Liszt. Eventually, he started experimenting with his compositions, making characters, and then creating his characters. He emphasized that the main thing for him was storytelling and bringing those stories to life.
He directed two short films, initially storyboarding them as animations but then doing them live-action. He never thought he would be able to do animation. Looking back, he shared that he finds it surreal that he is now discussing an animated film they made. He never imagined it would happen, as it all started from his passion for creating and enjoying the process.
Usman Riaz Talked About The Glassworker, The Journey, And More
Usman Riaz shared his gratitude for working with a wonderful team in Pakistan and internationally to bring the project to life. He mentioned that when the project started, nobody really believed it could succeed. However, the TED team provided strong support, having seen even more extraordinary achievements in science and technology. This made animation in Pakistan seem feasible.
He explained that getting into animation presented many challenges, but he never considered whether it was the right thing to do. Instead, he wondered why no one had done it before and thought, “No one has done it yet, but we can.” This drive to make a movie led him to tour many places in search of the right infrastructure and people. Ultimately, he chose to create the film in Pakistan, believing they could build their own infrastructure if it didn’t exist.
I feel like I made the best film I could in the circumstances that I had.
Usman Riaz
Usman said he didn’t focus on whether it would succeed or if it was the right decision; he just felt determined to do it. Despite people thinking he was crazy at the time, he didn’t realize it then and remained undeterred. The journey evolved into a historic endeavor, and by the middle of it, he recognized that pulling it off would become a significant milestone.
He shared that he felt inspired to make the best film possible within the circumstances in Pakistan. His story inspired others, showing that if something seems impossible, determination and belief can still lead to success. He emphasized that when everyone says something is impossible, but you believe in it and want to do it, you should pursue it. This philosophy led him create The Glassworker.
The Glassworker is set to release nationwide on 26th of July, 2024. Pease do go, watch it, and support Pakistani talent because it deserves recognition.
