Building Mano: Creating a Hand-Drawn Animation Studio
Talk · Day 2 · Fri 23 October 2026, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm · Aljada, Sharjah
Building Mano: Creating a Hand-Drawn Animation Studio is a talk exploring the founding of Mano Animation Studios, Pakistan’s first hand-drawn animation studio, with Usman Riaz, director of The Glassworker. Through a conversation moderated by Yasmeen Sinan, attendees will gain insight into how a personal artistic vision can evolve into a pioneering creative enterprise.
Key points include the process of developing a unique animation studio from the ground up, assembling and leading a creative team, and transforming a local story into an international project. By the end of this session, attendees will understand the challenges and opportunities involved in building an animation studio and industry from scratch.
- Usman Riaz — Director of The Glassworker — Mano Animation Studios
- Yasmeen Sinan — Media Communications Specialist