ATSUKO QUIRK, documentary filmmaker, environmental advocate, and Media Director at CafeteriaCulture.org (CafCu), a non-profit environmental organization, is a 21st generation Samurai family member from northern Japan, living in New York City. Her documentary, “It’s Everybody’s Ocean,” won Best Documentary Short at NYC International Film Festival (2014), as well as 2 additional festival awards. It has been shown in film festivals in ten cities around the world (https://www.itseverybodysoceanmovie.com).
Her short documentary, “SCHOOL LUNCH IN JAPAN – It’s not just about eating” (2010) has over 23 million views on YouTube. Atsuko teaches videography, production, storytelling and leadership to underserved New York City youth through Cafeteria Culture’s ARTS+MEDIA for Climate Action, zero waste and plastic-free school programs. She is bringing Japanese style student leadership to public school cafeterias in NYC and beyond. Her latest co-directed film, “Microplastic Madness” is about plastic pollution told by 5th grades from Red Hook, Brooklyn, New York City, a public housing community in a frontline of climate change (http://www.cafeteriaculture.org/microplastic-madness.html).