‘The Glassworker’ team are a match made in heaven at Cannes

Indian actor Sobhita Dhulipala made an appearance at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, but not for a movie; rather, she was there promoting a brand. She posted glimpses of her trip to Cannes on Instagram, and one picture in particular drew attention: it showed her with Usman Riaz, the creative force behind Mano Animation Studios, Pakistan’s first hand-drawn animation studio.

Beside them were prominent Pakistani filmmaker Mohammad Ali Naqvi of New York and CEO of Mano Animation Studios Khizer Riaz. “This time around, though I was there with a brand and not a film, the quiet wonder remains,” Sobhita wrote in her Cannes diaries. The raucous laughing and my fondness for baguettes go hand in hand.

When they crossed paths, fans’ excitement was uncontrollable. She is my favorite actor, someone exclaimed with excitement! Looking forward to The Glassworker. Someone else was surprised and said, “Usman from Pakistan? Say what, exactly?

The animator, meantime, shared an Instagram Reel that showed off the charming streets of Cannes and the proud moment of presenting The Glassworker project, providing a behind-the-scenes look into their Cannes adventure.

Usman expressed his reflections on the hectic Cannes Film Festival, saying, “It was a whirlwind.” Presenting Mano’s journey at Cannes was an honor. The Glassworker taught me priceless lessons about pursuing one’s aspirations and stands for ten years of hard effort. A significant accomplishment for Mano Animation Studios and Pakistan before The Glassworker’s world debut in Annecy in 2024. I am grateful to Mohammad Naqvi and the Pakistan Crescent Collective.

On July 26, The Glassworker, a touching story about the friendship between Vincent, a glassworker, and Alliz, a gifted violinist, will premiere in Pakistan.