
MOMO WANG
Momo Wang is an award-winning animation director, artist, author, and IP creator known for blending artistic vision with cross-cultural storytelling. She is the creator of Tuzki, one of the most recognizable original cartoon characters in Asia, later acquired by Warner Bros.
As a bestselling author, Momo has published multiple illustrated books and graphic novels, including Tuzki: I, You?, The Best of You Is yet to come and Momo Who? Her works have been released in simplified Chinese, traditional Chinese, and Thai editions, with Tuzki: I, You? topping China’s bestseller lists for over a year.
Animation Director, Cartoonist, Fine Artist
Growing up in Beijing Momo spent her childhood immersed in comics and animation. While earning her animation degree at the Communication University of China (CUC), Beijing she created Tuzki, a lovable bunny character that has gone on to become one of the most recognized, branded characters worldwide.
She directs short films and animated content for Illumination’s blockbuster franchises, including Minions, Despicable Me, Sing, and The Grinch. She also directed Penglai, the first Chinese-themed animated short from Illumination/Universal, narrated by Scarlett Johansson and Oscar-qualified in 2023.
Momo has worked with studios like Universal, Tencent, and Legendary on a range of original IP and branded content.
Momo is a featured creative partner on platforms such as Sora, Runway, Pika, Luma, Dreamina and Kling, and has been a leading voice in the AI+creativity space—speaking at major industry events including CES, Digital Hollywood, and AI on the Lot.

She is the first Chinese animation director inducted into the Asian Hall of Fame, and has served as juror for BAFTA, the Annie Awards, and the Shanghai International Film Festival. Her work bridges art, technology, and culture—transforming characters into globally resonant franchises.
Website: www.momowang.co
Instagram: @momowang123
Media Coverage
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AI Creator Series: Momo Wang and Animation - Jun 2025
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Panel "AI-DRIVEN Evolution in Modern Animation" at AI on The Lot - May 2025
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Panel for Digital Hollywood "The Crazy Ones: Today’s Creative Misfits Unlocking the Most Out of AI.” - April 2025
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Momo Wang spoke at CES on the AI in Hollywood panel - Jan 2025
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Momo Wang joins the jury of the Film Explore section at the Shanghai International Film Festival - July 2024
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Momo Wang video presentation with Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri at UCLA - Oct 2023
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Interview with Momo Wang by The Female Quotient (starts at 1:32) - May 2023
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Animator Momo Wang Used Her Tuzki Success to Catapult Her Career in Animation - Forbes - January 2023
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Momo Wang’s new animated short ‘Penglai’ getting Oscars buzz - KTLA News - December 2022
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Penglai: Writer/director Momo Wang on creating Illumination's animated short - Post Magazine - December 2022
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Fishing for Enlightenment in Momo Wang’s ‘Penglai’ - Animation Magazine - December 2022
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Momo Wang & Her Amazing Animated Short “Penglai” - Mo'Kelly Show KFI / I Heart Radio - December 2022
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Animator Momo Wang on writing and directing her new short film, Penglai - Creative Boom - December 2022
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Grammy winners & celebrities inducted into the Asian Hall of Fame - AsAm News - November 2022
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Oscar Watch 2023: The Long Shorts List - Animation Magazine - October 2022
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Daniel Ho, Hiroshima, Tia Carrere & More to Be Inducted Into Asian Hall of Fame - Billboard Magazine - October 2022
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FENDER CUSTOM SHOP™ AND ILLUMINATION JOIN FORCES TO CREATE ONE-OF-A-KIND "FENDER® x MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU" COLLECTION - PR Newswire - July 2022
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Laundry Studios “Turn Up The Sunshine” with Illumination Entertainment - Stash - June 2022
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Illumination’s Chris Meledandri On Sharing “Pure Joy” Of ‘Minions: The Rise Of Gru’ - Deadline - June 2022
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Warnermedia’s Most Famous Rabbit, Tuzki, Is Getting His Own TV Series - Cartoon Brew - October 2019
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Film fame beckons for Chinese emoticon - Shine China - May 2019
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APOS: Turner and Tencent Reteam on Tuzki-Starring ‘Second Time’ - Variety - April 2019
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Former YouTube Executive Launches Next 10 Ventures - Deadline - May 2018
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Meet China's social sensation Tuzki - CNN - November 2017
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Popular Chinese Emoticon Tuzki Is Getting An Animated Feature - Cartoon Brew - September 2016
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China’s popular rabbit Tuzki expands its digital pawprint - Financial Times - April 2015
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Tuzki Stars in Valentine's Day Animation from TurnOut Ventures - PR Newswire - February 2014
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CalArts Legends Featured in Vanity Fair - SCV News - February 2014