Valeriu Kurtu was born in 1956 in the city of Ungheni in the Republic of Moldova. He studied Fine Arts in Chisinau and then studied animation film at Moscow University. Since 1986 he has been a member of the Federation of Caricaturists' Organizations (FECO). He has also made seven animated films as a writer and/or director. Valeriu Kurtu has published cartoons in important magazines such as: “Krokodil” (Russia), “Eulenspiegel” (Germany), “Ursika” (Romania) and in his native country Moldova in the magazine “Chipăruș”. Since 1994, when he was already a recognized artist, he moved with his family to Berlin. In 2003 he opened his own gallery “KurtuKunst” together with his wife. He continued to collaborate with numerous publications, newspapers and magazines, and participated in international exhibitions. He has received more than 100 awards, medals and recognitions in cartoon competitions around the world. Since 2010, Valeriu Kurtu has organized and directed the Berlin International Cartoon Competition.