The Glassworker by Usman Riaz has been included to the list of movies that are eligible for the 97th Academy Awards.
On Thursday, the Academy announced which animated, documentary, and international feature films are eligible for the 97th Academy Awards. Leading studios and independent producers have contributed to the list, which consists of a variety of highly regarded films and blockbusters.
The Glassworker, which was produced by Mano Animation Studios, is one of 85 international film and 31 animated feature candidates. Given that it is Pakistan’s first animated Oscar submission, this is a historic occasion.
You can consider The Glassworker to be officially on the long-list for the prizes because it satisfies the eligibility requirements. Prior to the final nominations on January 23, 2025, the categories’ shortlists will be revealed on December 17.
Each category’s nominees are chosen through a rigorous voting process: Academy members from all branches must meet certain viewing requirements for International Features, while members of the Academy’s Animation Branch assess submissions for Animated Features.
The movie is classified in the animation feature category with animation heavyweights like DreamWorks Animation’s The Wild Robot and Pixar’s Inside Out 2, which has already made headlines as the highest-grossing animated film of all time.
Kung Fu Panda 4, Despicable Me 4, and the Japanese competitor Kensuke’s Kingdom are other noteworthy entries in this category.
The Glassworker takes its place in the International Feature category alongside films from 84 other nations, including Kiran Rao’s Laapata Ladies from India.
Submission of the Palestinians From Ground Zero is on the list as well. From Ground Zero is a 2024 anthology film that was directed by 22 different Palestinian filmmakers. It consists of 22 short films on the situation in Gaza as Israel continues its assault, including fiction, documentaries, experimental films, and animation. Israel’s contribution, Come Closer, is on the same list.
Critically regarded pieces like Emilia Pérez from France, The Seed of the Sacred Fig from Germany, and I’m Still Here from Brazil are also included in this year’s competition.
South Asian landscapes serve as the inspiration for the fictional world of The Glassworker, Pakistan’s first hand-drawn animated film. The movie chronicles the life of teenage glassworker Vincent and his developing bond with one of his customers’ daughters, Alliz. As they get older, the complexities of human emotions and the shadow of war confront their personal and professional lives. The film has received praise for its exquisite craftsmanship, poignant narrative, and musical score, all of which were painstakingly created by Riaz and his crew.
No Comment! Be the first one.