Kristina Russo has spent over 20 years bringing imagination to life through visual effects.
Starting as a 3D Generalist in Italy in 2006, then moving to London, Kristina joined Wētā FX in 2009, where she has loved being a part of the studio’s creative evolution.

Her journey began on The Adventures of Tintin and The Hobbit, and she went on to lead creative teams on projects like The BFG, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, and Mortal Engines.

Kristina later headed Wētā’s Virtual Art Department for more than five years till 2022, and today she serves as Senior Head of Assets, guiding artistry and technology to create world-class digital environments and characters.

Kristina believes that VFX is about more than pixels—it’s about storytelling, creativity, and collaboration. She’s excited to see the fresh ideas and bold visions students will bring to this event, and hopes to inspire the next generation of artists to dream big and push boundaries.