Zora Xu is a illustrator and animator currently based in Los Angeles. Her work explores personal and emotional narratives through tactile visuals and often blends hand-drawn textures with digital animation. She holds a BFA in Illustration from California College of the Arts and is currently pursuing her MFA in Animation at UCLA.
Zora is an award-winning artist and filmmaker, whose recent works have been recognized by several international film festivals. Her short films have been selected by the San Diego Asian Film Festival, Lift-Off Filmmaker Sessions (UK), Short Shot Fest (Argentina), FECEA Student Film Festival (Brazil), and more. In 2025, she received the Student Honor Award from the Los Angeles Advertising Club. Zora also designed the official Josie Bruin mascot artwork for UCLA Women’s Basketball 2024–2025 season.
EDUCATION
University of California, Los Angeles(UCLA) - Los Angeles, CA
MFA in Animation
09/ 2023 - (in progress)
California College of the Art (CCA) - San Francisco, CA
BFA in Illustration (Distinction)
09/2020 - 05/2022
Pasadena City College (PCC) - Pasadena, CA
Associate in Studio Art (Dean’s Honors)
08/2017 - 06/2020
FILM FESTIVAL
Cinema of the World International Film Festival (2025) - New Delhi
SERIES WEB AWARDS (2024) - Lima, Peru
Festival Cartón (2024) - Buenos Aires, Argentina
Short Shot Fest (2024) - Moscowt, Russian Federation
London Film & Television Festival (2024) - London
FECEA - Festival Internacional de Cinema Escolar de Alvorada (2024) - Alvorada, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
WeMakeFilms International Film Festival (2024) - Wallington, Surrey
The Chico Independent Film Festival (2024) - Chico, CA, United States
San Diego Asian Film Festival (2024) - San Diego, CA, United States
Lift-Off First-Time Filmmaker Sessions (2024) - England, United Kingdom
Lift-Off Filmmaker Sessions by Lift-Off Global Network (2024) - Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom
AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS
American Advertising Federation of Los Angeles - Honorable Mention: Student - Josie Bruin Logo Design (2025)
Bold Journey - Artist Interview (2024)
Artist Interview with “Shoutoutla” (2024)
Artist Interview with “Voyage LA” (2023)
Certificate of Merit from Illiustration West 61 show by “SOLA”. (2023)
Member of the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles (2022&2023)
Society of Illustrators Student Scholarship of New York (2022)
"Vitality," a highlighted work exhibited on the CCA's showcase (2022)