In a groundbreaking moment for Pakistan’s film industry, The Glass Worker, an animated film by Usman Riyaz, has been selected as the country’s official entry for the 2024 Oscars. Although the final decision is still pending, this submission marks a significant achievement for Pakistan, especially in the animation industry, and highlights the growing presence of Pakistani cinema on the global stage.
The history of Pakistan’s film submissions to the Oscars has been a journey of both significant moments and missed opportunities.
The first Pakistani film to be submitted was Jago Hua Savera (The Day Shall Dawn) in 1959, followed by Ghonghat in 1962, but neither earned nominations. It took decades for Pakistan to send another film.
In 2013, Zinda Bhaag, directed by Meenu Gaur and Farjad Nabi, made its way to the Oscars, focusing on the issue of illegal immigration.
The following year, Dukhtar, directed by Afia Nathaniel, tackled child marriage i Hun tribal areas, and was submitted for consideration.
It is the story of a mother and her ten-year-old daughter, who leave their home to save the girl from an arranged marriage to a tribal leader.
In 2015, Mor, directed by Jami, explored crime and social issues in Balochistan, while MaheMir, directed by Jamih-e-Mir (2016) focused on the life of the famous Urdu poet Mir Taqi Mir.
In 2017, Saawan explored the life of a polio-afflicted child, while the 2018 submission, Cake, directed by Asim Abbasi, delved into family dynamics with great emotional depth.
2019 saw Laal Kabootar, a crime thriller by Kamal Khan, which earned praise for its gripping storytelling. In 2020, Zindagi Tamasha, a film by Sarmad Sultan Khoosat, sparked controversy in Pakistan but was sent to the Oscars nonetheless.
In 2022, Joyland by Saim Sadiq made waves for its sensitive exploration of gender identity and societal challenges, though it did not receive a nomination. Similarly, in 2023, In Flames, a horror film directed by Zarrar Khan, earned praise but didn’t make the final cut.
Now, with The Glass Worker submitted for the 2024 Oscars, Pakistan continues to push boundaries, offering a range of unique and diverse stories that reflect the country’s cinematic growth. The journey of Pakistani cinema at the Oscars is far from over, and this animated film marks yet another milestone in the country’s quest to leave its mark on the international film industry.
List of Pakistan’s Oscar Submissions:
- Jago Hua Savera (1959) – Pakistan’s First Oscar Submission
- Ghonghat (1962) – A Musical Entry from Pakistan to the Oscars
- Zinda Bhaag (2013) – A Bold Return to the Oscars After 50 Years
- Dukhtar (2014) – A Powerful Film on Child Marriage and Tribal Issues
- Mor (2015) – A Crime Drama from Balochistan at the Oscars
- Mah-e-Mir (2016) – A Poetic Tribute to Mir Taqi Mir
- Saawan (2017) – A Touching Story of a Polio-Afflicted Child
- Cake (2018) – A Heartfelt Family Drama from Pakistan
- Laal Kabootar (2019) – A Gripping Crime Thriller with Outstanding Direction
- Zindagi Tamasha (2020) – A Controversial Submission Exploring Social Norms
- Joyland (2022) – A Bold Exploration of Gender Identity and Love
- In Flames (2023) – A Horror Film That Garnered International Praise
- The Glass Worker (2024) – Pakistan’s Animated Hopeful for the Oscars