EXCLUSIVE: Watermelon Footage has acquired U.S. distribution rights to The Glassworker, the debut function from Pakistani director Usman Riaz, which was Pakistan’s official submission for Finest Worldwide Function and Finest Animated Function to the 97th Academy Awards.

The deal was closed throughout Cannes and negotiated by Hamza Ali for Watermelon Footage and Hélène Espeisse on behalf of Charades, which is representing the movie at this 12 months’s Marché Du Movie.

The Glassworker is a romantic, coming-of-age drama—and Pakistan’s first-ever hand-drawn animated function. Set in a fictional, European-inspired nation on the point of struggle, the movie follows Vincent, a younger glassblower, and his father Tomas, whose peaceable life is disrupted by the arrival of a navy colonel and his daughter Alliz, a gifted violinist. As tensions escalate, Vincent and Alliz’s relationship turns into a quiet act of resistance, difficult the ideologies round them.

“The Glassworker is a wide ranging, emotional story that can resonate deeply with audiences of all ages. We’re honored to carry this cinematic gem to U.S. theaters,” mentioned Watermelon Footage Co-Founder Hamza Ali.

Movie manufacturing and distribution firm Watermelon Footage was launched in April, 2024 by brothers Hamza Ali and Badie Ali in April, 2024, with Alana Hadid as Artistic Director. Rooted in Palestinian tradition and creativity, its wider remit  is to amplify the voices of underrepresented filmmakers throughout the globe.

It has had a busy a primary 12 months for the corporate with first acquisitions and releases together with Oscar shortlisted From Floor Zero, which was Palestine’s official entry to the 97th Academy Awards, in addition to The Encampments.

“We’re thrilled that The Glassworker might be launched theatrically in the US by Watermelon Footage. Their speedy progress and up to date string of profitable, significant movies make them the proper accomplice to carry our work to American audiences. We couldn’t be extra excited,” mentioned the movie’s producer Khizer Riaz.