May 18 | 4:00 pm
May 31, 2025 | 6:00 PM
The Glassworker
Directed by Usman Riaz/Mano Animation Studios
“The Glassworker is a wonderful film in its own right, but also deserves to be the first of many animated tales from underrepresented nations.”
— Skwigly Animation Magazine
In Partnership with:
Co Presented by:
Without art and music, what do we have in this world full of conflict and war?
OFFICIAL SELECTION: Annecy Festival 2024
From Mano Animation Studios and director Usman Riaz comes ‘The Glassworker,’ an original hand drawn animated feature film.
A young Vincent and his father Tomas run the finest glass workshop in the country and find their lives upended by an impending war in which they want no part. The arrival in their town of an army colonel and his young, talented, violinist daughter, Alliz, shakes their reality and tests the relationship between father and son.
The love that develops between Vincent and Alliz is challenged constantly by the differing views of their fathers. It is a time when patriotism and social standing are considered more important than free thought and artistic pursuits. It is a time when love is just not relevant.
“The Glassworker is the very first hand-drawn movie from Pakistan, where there is no infrastructure for fiilmmaking, let alone animation.” – Usman Riaz, Director
Info
Venue
Mugar Omni Theater
Museum Of Science
1 Science Pk, Boston, MA 02114
Dates
May 18, 2025 | 4:00 pm
May 31, 2025 | 6:00 PM
Q&A
Q&A with filmmaker following the screening
Access
Subtitles when English is not spoken
Sun, May 18 4:00 pm
Gallery
Artists
Usman Riaz, Director
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.
Partners
As science and technology increasingly shape our lives, the Museum of Science strives to equip and inspire everyone to use science for the global good. Among the world’s largest science centers and New England’s most attended cultural institution, we engage nearly five million people a year – at Science Park and in museums around the world, in classrooms, and online.
The Museum’s singular location connecting Boston and Cambridge puts us at the junction of some of the world’s most influential academic institutions and industries, local and state government, schools, and the public. Trusted by each sector, we are ideally positioned to convene, inspire, and create meaningful experiences for all.
Mugar Omni Theater
Museum of Science
1 Science Park, Boston, MA 02114
New England’s Largest Asian American Film Festival
The Boston Asian American Film Festival (BAAFF) empowers Asian Americans through film by showcasing Asian American experiences and serving as a resource to filmmakers and the Greater Boston Community. BAAFF is a co-production of Asian American Resource Workshop and ArtsEmerson.
