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Usman Riaz's film is fully funded, thanks to over 1000 backers on Kickstarter

Usman Riaz's film is fully funded, thanks to over 1000 backers on Kickstarter

The Glassworker is intended to be Pakistan's first completely hand-drawn anime film
05 Apr, 2016

Here's our feel-good moment of the day: a passion project of momentous scale, Usman Riaz's short film titled The Glassworker has been fully funded, thanks to 1,053 supporters on fundraising platform Kickstarter.

The backers have collectively pooled together a whopping $116,000, which is more than twice the amount that Usman hoped to raise to cover the film's production costs.

The Glassworker is a truly special film, for it is intended to be Pakistan's first completely hand-drawn anime film.

Usman Riaz released the first poster for The Glassworker in celebration of the fundraising success - Image courtesy Instagram/@theusmanriaz
Usman Riaz released the first poster for The Glassworker in celebration of the fundraising success - Image courtesy Instagram/@theusmanriaz

In an earlier interview with Images, Riaz revealed the crux of the film: "The film will follow [main characters, the glassworker] Vincent and [his regular customer/violinist] Alliz through their developing years as life gets more complicated and inhibits their relationship. It will be a comment on the effects of war on children and just explore the bond between the two main characters."

In his thank you note on social media, Usman said, "Looking back, The Glassworker started off as drawings in my sketchbooks and storyboards. I remember bumbling around TED 2015 carrying a gigantic portfolio with all my sketches and storyboards falling out, showing people what I am working on. Cut to a year later, I form a global production team of talented artists, architects and animators under Mano Animation Studios, we unveil The Glassworker teaser at TED 2016 and are 232% Kickstarter funded to support the making of the film."

To make his dream of making The Glassworker come true, Usman founded Mano Animation Studios, where he's begun work on the film with other artists after a year of working on the film alone.

"After working alone for so long, my team is what I am most grateful for. From the project managers to the background artists, environment designers and of course the animation team. This could not have been done without them," he further wrote on Facebook.

"Pakistan has no hand drawn animation industry. But with your support of this film, we are laying the foundation for artists to work on beautiful works of art that they can be proud of."

We will be able to see the first chapter of The Glassworker in 2017.

Comments

mazhar Apr 05, 2016 03:15pm
A very talented young man. I wish you all the luck in the future.
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Funga Apr 05, 2016 03:30pm
Great..
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wake_up Apr 05, 2016 03:30pm
congrats. hope for successful debut...
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ahmad Apr 05, 2016 04:34pm
hand drawn animations look way cooler and appeal children more than the badly made 3D which are used in a couple of pakistani and indian cartoon series aired these days
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usman Apr 05, 2016 04:47pm
thumbs up!
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daada Apr 05, 2016 05:33pm
Already a Usman Riaz fan! Genius guitar player/artist
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Eddie - (Nakli wala) Apr 05, 2016 07:00pm
Usman Riaz!!! Mann u have so much potential. I am so rooting for you, please make us proud. And don't stop producing music either.
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flipflop Apr 05, 2016 07:54pm
Cant wait to watch this. This will definitely be a big moment in Pakistan animation industry and hopefully encourage other artists and animaters to come forward. Good luck Usman, stay blessed !!!
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Omar Apr 05, 2016 08:02pm
Absolutely wonderful! I supported Usman on Kickstarter and wish him great success and I hope he brings glory to the nation.
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Naxalite Apr 05, 2016 08:18pm
Unfortunatly when i asked Usman how i can also approach funders as funding is not allowed in Pakistan,
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Ozz Apr 06, 2016 12:25pm
Good stuff
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Mehreen Apr 06, 2016 12:25pm
Being a huge fan of anime myself, I feel so happy and proud that such talent is coming from Pakistan. Usman your work is amazing and I know your movie will be top-notch! Hat's off to the all supporters! Best of luck for the entire project!
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>:) Apr 07, 2016 03:24am
@ahmad Agreed! Though I hope he tries another type of animation other than anime after this.
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