Virginia Film Festival

Official Oscar^© Selection—Pakistan
U.S. Premiere

Premiering at the most recent edition of the Annecy Film Festival, this family drama with an anti-war message has the distinction of being the first hand drawn animated Pakistani film. Directed by Usman Riaz, who drew on personal experiences from post 9/11 Pakinstan and the work of Japanese master Hayao Miyazaki, The Glassworker is a strikingly beautiful and deeply humanist achievement.

Vincent, a young and exceptionally talented glassmaker, and his father, Tomas, run the finest glass workshop in the country. However, their cherished storefront is under threat due to an impending war. Everything changes in their quaint town with the arrival of an army colonel and his musically gifted daughter, Alliz. She plants the seeds for a young love that will profoundly test the bond between father and son.

Introduction by Samhita Sunya (VAFF)

This film is part of the Middle Eastern and South Asian Cinema Series presented by UVA Arts Council and supported by Institute of the Humanities and Global Cultures.