The Glassworker

Vincent Oliver, the son of master glassworker Tomas Oliver, lives in the seaside town of Waterfront, renowned for its fertile soil and silicon-rich sand. The town becomes a battleground between two nations. Djinns, fire spirits, play a significant role in the story.

As an adult, Vincent prepares for his first glasswork exhibition and finds a letter from his childhood friend, Alliz Amano, whom he always loved. The letter recounts their past: Vincent, home-schooled and trained in glassworking by his pacifist father, meets Alliz, the daughter of Colonel Amano. Alliz aspires to be a violinist, and despite Tomas’s disapproval, Vincent and Alliz grow close.

War breaks out, and locals, including Vincent’s rival Malik, join the military. Tomas is coerced into making advanced glass rectifiers for the military. As the war escalates, Malik confesses his love for Alliz, creating tension between her and Vincent. During a bombing raid, Vincent and Alliz argue, leading to their estrangement.

Alliz’s father goes missing in action, prompting her to find solace in music and write her own piece. She invites Vincent to her performance, but he is barred entry and watches from the roof. Seeing soldiers approach the college, Vincent leaves to confront them. Inside, Malik returns with the injured Colonel Amano, earning Alliz’s gratitude and a kiss, which Vincent witnesses.

Devastated, Vincent sabotages the rectifiers to stop the war but regrets it. During a bombing raid, Vincent’s actions inadvertently cause Tomas to lose his arm. Alliz and her family members are killed as they get caught in a bombing while departing by train.

In the present, Vincent finishes reading Alliz’s letter, where she professes her love for him. At his glass exhibition, Vincent is distracted by a blue flame, a recurring motif. Back at the workshop, he attempts to burn the letter, but blue flames transform it into a vision of Alliz. The film ends with Vincent and Alliz reunited on the beach, their hands joined by a blue flame.

The Glassworker was directed by Usman Riaz, in his directorial debut, and produced by Mano Animation Studios. Geoffrey Wexler, who worked for Studio Ghibli, aided the film's production. It was edited by José Manuel Jiménez and its score composed by Carmine Di Florio.

The film premiered worldwide at the 2024 Annecy International Animation Film Festival on 10 June 2024 and was released in Pakistani theaters on 26 July 2024, distributed by Geo Films and Mandviwalla Entertainment. It also screened at the Hiroshima Animation Season 2024 on 17 August 2024 and competed in Feature Competition. The film premiered in Canada at the Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival. In May 2025, Watermelon Pictures acquired the U.S. distribution rights to The Glassworker. The film premiered in the United States in theaters on August 15, 2025.

Box office

The Glassworker earned Rs. 10 million in its opening weekend in Pakistan.

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 88% of 24 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.5/10.

Siddhant Adlakha of Variety wrote that the film "feels like an homage to Miyazaki", praising its hand-drawn animation and visual ambition, while noting that its storytelling is weighed down by familiar themes and a heavy emotional approach.

Mohammad Kamran Jawaid of Dawn praised the animation, story, and the film's anti-war message. He further wrote, "Usman Riaz’s The Glassworker is a visually stunning but thematically heavy film about love and relationships that chooses reality over fantasy." Alizee Ali Khan, of Aaj News praised the film, stating that “the story is about the lives of two characters, Vincent Oliver and Alliz Amano, who are inextricably linked to each other while the whirlwind of an approaching war engulfs them. ‘The Glassworker’ treats the subjects of life and love delicately without losing their depth, with magnificent imagery and a well-written story.”

Ricardo Gallegos of La Estatuilla wrote, "Overall, the animation delivers what it promises, but at the character level it is not always completely polished, as there is no fluidity and definition in certain movements. These imperfections also appear in the dubbing department, as some cast members are too monotonous in their performance and therefore fail to convey the emotion of their characters, especially during key scenes."