Kris Wimberly is Co-Founder and Head of Creative for Studio Smokescreen, an independent, Black-owned animation studio dedicated to leading significant changes in diversity and inclusion across the animation industry. The full-scale, Los Angeles-based “bridge” studio, the first of its kind, is designed to elevate marginalized and underrepresented talent striving to break into roles on big studio projects. Kris is a classically trained director and storyboard artist who currently serves as director on Disney’s newest hit animated series, “Firebuds.” He also has a new project in development at Disney about a time-traveling treasure hunter. Kris’ additional credits include HBO Max's “Close Enough,” Disney’s “Elena of Avalor,” Universal's “Curious George 4: Royal Monkey,” Nickelodeon's “Spongebob SquarePants” and Cartoon Network's “Teen Titans Go!” A graduate of California State University, Fullerton, Kris worked as a custodian at Disneyland while working his way up the ranks to pursue his passion for animation.