The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced that 31 animated features, 169 documentaries, and 85 international films are eligible for nominations at the 97th Academy Awards, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Among these is The Glassworker, Pakistan’s first-ever hand-drawn animated feature film written by Usman Riaz, which has been selected in the animated feature category.
Produced by Geo Films in collaboration with Mano Animation Studios, The Glassworker is a milestone for Pakistan as its first animated submission to the Oscars. Taking a decade to complete, the film has been acclaimed for its exceptional storytelling, cinematography, music, art, animation, and voice performances.
The story follows Vincent and his father Tomas, who run a glass workshop amidst the chaos of an impending war they wish to avoid. This deeply emotional tale has set the film apart, earning it a place among global animated giants.
In the animated feature category, The Glassworker will compete against heavyweights such as Pixar’s Inside Out 2, DreamWorks Animation’s The Wild Robot, and other major contenders like Kung Fu Panda 4, Despicable Me 4, and the Japanese entry Kensuke’s Kingdom.
Earlier, the film was also selected for the 2025 Oscars in the International Feature Film category, representing Pakistan alongside 84 other entries, including India’s Laapata Ladies and Palestine’s From Ground Zero.
This year’s Oscars feature several acclaimed works like France’s Emilia Pérez, Germany’s The Seed of the Sacred Fig, and Brazil’s I’m Still Here. The shortlists for these categories will be announced on December 17, narrowing the field before final nominations are revealed on January 23, 2025.
The Glassworker stands as a beacon of creativity, representing Pakistan’s cinematic talent on an international stage for the very first time.
