ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s first hand-drawn animated film “The Glassworker” has been selected to represent the country in the International Feature Film category at the 2024 Academy Awards, the film’s director said on Thursday.
The movie released on July 26 was storyboarded by young Pakistani animator, Usman Riaz, who also directed the movie that comprised 1,477 cuts and 2,500 individual drawings, bringing to life the coming-of-age tale of two people from disparate backgrounds: young Vincent who is an apprentice at his father’s glass workshop, and the talented violinist Alliz, the daughter of a military colonel.
Around them, a war threatens to upend their lives and the relationships between the children and parents are tested. A total of 250 people worked on the film including national and international cast and crew.
“We are proud to announce that The Glassworker has been selected as Pakistan’s submission for the International Feature Film category at the 2024 Oscars,” Riaz said on Thursday in a social media post on Instagram. “This marks the first time a 2D hand-drawn animated film from Pakistan has been chosen for this prestigious honor.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/DAYB5zhJ275/?
On the occasion, the Pakistani Academy Selection Committee said Riaz and his team’s work demonstrated “exceptional” storytelling and artistry while “breaking new ground for animation” in the country which will be remembered in the country’s cinematic history as an achievement.
The film director said the movie represented a decade of “passion and perseverance,” adding that he was humbled by the selection and expressed hope that the story would resonate with audiences throughout the world by showcasing Pakistani talent and creativity.
“Stay tuned for updates as The Glassworker embarks on its journey toward the 2024 Oscars,” he added.
‘The Glassworker’ becomes Pakistan’s first animated film nominated for Oscars
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‘The Glassworker’ becomes Pakistan’s first animated film nominated for Oscars
- Film director Usman Riaz says he is humbled by the selection, hopes the movie to resonate with global audiences
- The Pakistani animated film revolves around a glassblower and a violinist, two people from disparate backgrounds
Pakistan PM praises stuntman ‘Sultan Golden’ for breaking record for fastest reverse car driving
- Sultan Muhammad Khan drove one mile in reverse in just 57 seconds to set new world record, local media widely reported
- Khan previously broke world record for longest motorbike ramp jump in 1987, managing a 249-feet long jump in Lahore
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari praised renowned stuntman Sultan Muhammad Khan, popularly known as “Sultan Golden,” for breaking the world record for fastest reverse driving a car on Saturday.
As per local media reports, Khan achieved the feat in the capital of Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province Quetta, when he drove one mile in reserve in just 57 seconds.
“Sultan Golden has made Pakistan proud across the world,” Sharif said in a statement released by his office.
The Pakistani prime minister said his government is committed to providing all possible facilities in every field of sports.
Zardari also heaped praise on the stuntman for setting the new world record.
“He said the achievement reflects the skill, courage and dedication of Pakistanis, strengthening Pakistan’s positive image globally and wished him continued success,” the president’s official X account wrote.
Khan has been performing stunts since the 1980s in Pakistan, a country where motorsports does not gain traction due to a lack of infrastructure and popularity of other sports such as cricket, football and squash.
Khan, who hails from the southwestern city of Pasni, earned the nickname ‘Golden’ early on in his youth for his iconic curly golden hair.
In March 1987, he entered his name in the Guinness Book of World Records when he performed the longest motorbike ramp jump in Lahore. Khan managed a 249-feet long jump, beating the previous record by two feet.
