“HATCHIE: An Innocent Soul” Pakistan’s First 2D AI- Assisted Anime Feature Film
Subheadline: Nidal Studio introduces “Harkat Nizari,” a new creative identity for the nation’s 2D and 3D AI animation movement.
On December 7, 2025, Nidal Studio had a Film Premiere of “HATCHIE: An Innocent Soul” in Chalo Cinema, Fortress Square Mall, Lahore. Pakistan’s first 2D AI- Assisted animated feature film. It is the first project of its kind to come out of the country, and it introduced Harkat Nizari, a term coined by Nidal Studio to describe Pakistan’s growing Animation Space.
The film combines hand-drawn 2D animation with AI-assisted production, built by a small team working at a scale usually associated with much larger studios. “HATCHIE: An Innocent Soul” follows themes of innocence, resilience, and quiet strength, told through a visual style intended to reach audiences beyond language and cultural barriers. It also draws heavily on Pakistan’s own culture its streets, architecture, food, music, and everyday life woven into the film’s world
You can watch the full Feature Film on Patreon
What Does "AI-Assisted" Means?
Unlike conventional AI-generated animation, “HATCHIE: An Innocent Soul” was developed using a hybrid workflow that combines traditional, hand-crafted animation with AI-assisted animation techniques. Nidal Studio’s artists hand-animated core elements of the film using traditional animation skills, while its AI animators used AI tools to build on that foundation and bring the work to feature-film scale. This combination allowed a small creative team to achieve feature-length storytelling while preserving the artistic control and emotional depth of traditionally animated work.
At the time, leaders in the generative AI space were saying AI couldn’t produce a feature film yet and this was especially true in anime, where most generative AI companies were focused on pushing realism and photorealistic art styles rather than stylized 2D animation. Delivering a coherent, feature-length AI-assisted anime film in that environment made “HATCHIE: An Innocent Soul” a genuine milestone in the World, one that redefines animation production in Pakistan and opens new opportunities for independent filmmakers across the region.
“HATCHIE: An Innocent Soul is more than just a film, it is a
statement. It proves that with vision, creativity, and emerging
technology, Pakistani storytellers can stand shoulder to shoulder with
the global animation industry,” said SAH (Animation Director).
Synopsis:
Set against the vibrant streets of Lahore, HATCHIE: An Innocent Soul tells a heart
touching story of friendship and love. The film follows Hani, a young girl whose life
revolves around her cherished pet turtle, Hatchie. Together, they share moments of
joy, innocence, and quiet adventure that transform everyday life into something
magical.
As their bond deepens, Hani’s peaceful world is tested by harsh realities. Limited
medical facilities for turtles and the threat of illegal turtle smuggling.
Tender, emotional, and socially conscious, HATCHIE: An Innocent Soul highlights
empathy and care for vulnerable lives.
“Harkat Nizari” A New Creative Identity:
Alongside the film, the creators officially introduced Harkat Nizari, a term to
categorize and identify all 2D AND 3D animations emerging from Pakistan.
Rooted in motion, expression, and innovation, Harkat Nizari reflects Pakistan’s
originality, storytelling depth, and artistic evolution in the age of artificial intelligence.
From today onward, ALL Pakistan’s 2D and 3D animations are proposed to be
recognized under this unified creative banner, positioning the nation prominently on
the global animation map.
"Hatchie: An Innocent soul" Film Premiere
On December 7, 2025, “HATCHIE: An Innocent Soul” had its film premiere at Chalo Cinema, Fortress Square Mall, Lahore, introducing the creators and the film to the public. The event brought together people from a wide range of backgrounds, all coming to witness this milestone for Pakistan’s animation industry firsthand. During the premiere, the team shared the vision, motivation, and creative journey behind the film, giving the audience insight into the work that went into bringing “HATCHIE: An Innocent Soul” to life. After watching the film, many attendees offered extremely positive remarks, appreciating the effort, craft, and ambition the creators had put into the project, a response that underscored the film’s significance as a pioneering achievement for Pakistan’s animation industry.
International Partners:
Major Gen-AI development companies, including Hailuo AI,
Komiko AI, and Platforms like Anishort, have partnered with Nidal Studio on this milestone project. Their
involvement underscores the project’s significance and highlights its importance within the
global AI-driven creative landscape.
About NIDAL STUDIO:
At Nidal Studio stories come to life like never before! As Pakistan’s first AI-powered animation studio, we’re here to revolutionize storytelling with powerful narratives of resilience, justice, and culture on the screen. Our goal is simple: to create meaningful animations that inspire, challenge norms, and bring voices to untold stories. From fantasy to reality, we blend technology with creativity to make something truly unforgettable. Nidal Studio isn’t just making films, it’s bringing a revolution to Pakistan’s animation industry. Join us on this journey as we push the boundaries of animation and give a voice to stories that need to be told!
Contact:
Nidal Studio
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +92 3397514723