Animation, architecture, art, composing, design, editing, film directing, film production, music, performance, writing
2012
Pakistan
TED Conferences; Mano Animation Studios; Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture; Berklee College of Music
Usman Riaz is an artist, animator, and composer who is also a TED Senior Fellow. He is the Co-Founder and Director of Mano Animation Studios. Usman Riaz is known for his work on the animated feature film "The Glassworker," which is set to premiere in Pakistan in July 2024. The film tells the story of a father and son whose lives are disrupted by an impending war and the arrival of an army colonel and his daughter. Usman Riaz's dedication to his craft is evident in the detailed storyboarding he did for the film // As the co-founder and director of Mano Animation Studios, I have been working to produce our first feature film, The Glassworker, for over eight years. The Glassworker is a hand-drawn animated film that explores the themes of love, war, and art.
I am also a TED Senior Fellow, a program that recognizes and supports visionary leaders who are making a positive impact in their fields and communities. Through TED, I have been able to share my vision and insights on music, animation, storytelling, and social change with global audiences and collaborators. My goal is to inspire and empower people through the power of animation and art. // ‘The Glassworker’ is an original story about young Vincent and his father Tomas, who run the finest glass workshop in the country and find their lives upended by an approaching war in which they want no part. The arrival in their town of an army colonel and his young talented, violinist daughter, Alliz, shakes their reality and tests the relationship between father and son. The love that develops between Vincent and Alliz is challenged constantly by the differing views of their fathers. It is a time when patriotism and social standing are considered more important than free thought and artistic pursuits. It is a time when love is just not relevant. Set in a location loosely inspired by Pakistan, ‘The Glassworker’ is a hand- drawn animated feature film for a family audience. // The Glassworker (شیشہ گر) is a film by Mano Animation Studios, directed by Usman Riaz.
A coming-of-age story about two children from separate walks of life, set in the fictitious Waterfront Town. Vincent is an apprentice Glass Blower learning from his father in their Glass Shop. Alliz is a prodigious violinist striving to find her own unique voice on the instrument.
The film will comment on the affects of war on children and follow both characters through their formative years as life gets more complicated and inhibits their friendship. // TED Conferences; Mano Animation Studios; Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture; Berklee College of Music // Usman Riaz is a visionary leader in the field of animation and storytelling, known for his work as the co-founder and director of Mano Animation Studios. With over eight years dedicated to producing the hand-drawn animated feature film, "The Glassworker," Usman explores themes of love, war, and art through his creative endeavors. As a TED Senior Fellow, he shares his insights on music, animation, and social change with global audiences, aiming to inspire and empower individuals through the transformative power of art. Usman's work delves into the complexities of relationships, societal norms, and the impact of war on children, encapsulating poignant narratives that resonate with audiences worldwide. // I made Pakistan's first hand-drawn animated film 'The Glassworker' - a 10 year Labor of Love that has been recognised at some of the most prestigious film festivals in the world, including ANNECY, (I gave a talk at Cannes and the film screened in their film market) Shanghai International Film Festival and the Hiroshima Animation Festival as of June 2024. More to come.
I hope to keep making films that can inspire people to pursue their dreams. // Usman Riaz is a multi-talented artist, animator, and composer, recognized for his exceptional work in the field of animation and storytelling. As the Co-Founder and Director of Mano Animation Studios, he has dedicated over a decade to producing the hand-drawn animated feature film, "The Glassworker," which intricately explores themes of love, war, and art. Usman's commitment to his craft is evident in the detailed storyboarding for the film, which has garnered international acclaim at prestigious film festivals such as ANNECY, Shanghai International Film Festival, and the Hiroshima Animation Festival. As a TED Senior Fellow, he shares his profound insights on music, animation, and social change, aiming to inspire and empower audiences globally through the transformative power of art. Usman's poignant narratives delve into the complexities of relationships, societal norms, and the impact of war on children, resonating with viewers worldwide and paving the way for future creative endeavors that aim to inspire individuals to pursue their dreams. // Animator + Composer // I began playing classical piano at the age of six and taught myself to play a variety of instruments using the internet as a learning tool.


I am a composer, filmmaker and visual artist. After TED Global I have been traveling all over the world sharing my artwork and music with audiences to emphasize how we can use multimedia around us to further our talents.
// Usman Riaz is a composer, film director, scriptwriter and animator born in Pakistan.
Usman received a full scholarship to study Composition & Performance at the Berklee College of Music, in Boston, United States. Before that he also had studied Graphic Design at the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture in Karachi, Pakistan.
As music composer he has published the Albums 'Flashes & Sparks' with EMI Pakistan in 2011 and 'Circus in the Sky with EMI Pakistan in 2012.
He has written, directed and scored the live action short film 'RUCKUS' that premiered at TED Global 2012 and took part at SXSW 2013 and also the live action short film 'The Waves' that was an Official Selection at the 2013 New York City Independent Film Festival.
The Glassworker will be his first feature and not only did he write the original story but also worked as scriptwriter with Moya O'Shea and produced the full storyboard and animatic himself.
At 21 he was selected as a TED Fellow in 2012. He performed and spoke about his work at TED Global 2012, playing percussive guitar alongside master Preston Reed after he had learnt to play by watching videos on YouTube.
He was selected as a TED Senior Fellow in 2013 and has spoken at TED and TED Conferences in Japan, India, Malaysia, Costa Rica, Turkey, Canada, United Kingdom and the United States. // Singer Amanda Palmer pays tribute to the inimitable David Bowie with a cover of "Space Oddity." She's joined onstage by Jherek Bischoff, TED Fellow Usman Riaz and, no, your eyes are not deceiving you, none other than former Vice President Al Gore. // Usman Riaz is a 21-year-old whiz at the percussive guitar, a style he learned to play by watching his heroes on YouTube. The TED Fellow plays onstage at TEDGlobal 2012 -- followed by a jawdropping solo from the master of percussive guitar, Preston Reed. And watch these two guitarists take on a very spur-of-the-moment improv. // Usman Riaz is a multi-talented artist, animator, and composer, recognized for his exceptional work in the field of animation and storytelling. As the Co-Founder and Director of Mano Animation Studios, he has dedicated over a decade to producing the hand-drawn animated feature film, "The Glassworker," which intricately explores themes of love, war, and art. Usman's commitment to his craft is evident in the detailed storyboarding for the film, which has garnered international acclaim at prestigious film festivals such as ANNECY, Shanghai International Film Festival, and the Hiroshima Animation Festival. As a TED Senior Fellow, he shares his profound insights on music, animation, and social change, aiming to inspire and empower audiences globally through the transformative power of art. Usman's poignant narratives delve into the complexities of relationships, societal norms, and the impact of war on children, resonating with viewers worldwide and paving the way for future creative endeavors that aim to inspire individuals to pursue their dreams. // Animator + Composer // children, music, film - directing, glass, film, editing, music composer, music performer, design, animation, performance, architecture, writing, war, art, producing // Los Angeles|Sindh|USA|California|Pakistan|Karachi
Los Angeles|Sindh|USA|California|Pakistan|Karachi
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