Charlene Xu

Charlene Xu is an animation filmmaker and artist based in Los Angeles. Her work explores the terrain of bodily feeling, memory, and the emotional undercurrents of everyday life, often through a poetic lens that merges narrative with abstraction. Working primarily in 2D animation, Charlene creates hand-drawn sequences inspired from freewriting, dream logic, and visual metaphor, crafting pieces that feel both intimate and expansive.
Her films have been recognized by platforms and festivals such as SXSW, Palm Springs ShortFest, Tricky Women Tricky Realities, Shanghai International Film Festival, Vimeo Staff Picks, and the NOWNESS China Talent Award, among others.
Charlene’s creative practice is rooted in cross-disciplinary thinking, drawing influence from literature, contemporary art, and gender studies.
She also loves plants, home design, swimming, and the generative surprises of freewriting—quiet rituals that continually nourish her creative world.
charlenexu.art@gmail.com