Atsuko Quirk

Atsuko Quirk, CafCu Digital Media Producer and Cafeteria Ranger Program Director, is a documentary filmmaker, environmental advocate, and a 21st generation Samurai family member from northern Japan. living in New York City.  She is the Director and Producer of Microplastic Madness, Cafeteria Culture's feature documentary, with additional credits as cinematographer and editor. Her documentary, "Its Everybody’s Ocean" won Best Documentary Short at NYC International Film Festival (2014) and has been screened in film festivals in ten cities around the world. “School Lunch in Japan - It’s not just about eating" (2010), her short documentary, has over 25 million views on YouTube! The movie conveys the importance of quality school mealtime and has inspired international audiences of students, educators, and school food leaders, as well as Cafcu’s own zero waste cafeteria programs. 

After 15 years of production managing TV commercials, feature films and TV shows, Atsuko started making documentaries of her own. She is bringing in her Japanese POV into American culture on sustainability and wellness issues.  Her latest film, "It's Everybody's Ocean" has won the best documentary short at NYC International Film Festival in 2014 and two awards at other festivals. It has been shown in 10 cities all over the world.
 
Atsuko teaches videography and production to youth via CafCu’s new ARTS+MEDIA for Climate Action curriculum. She filmed and edited a video streamed in the US EPA’s webinar, "How to Reduce Cafeteria Waste - Best Practices in NYC Public Schools" and designed the webinar Power Point presentation. She directs and edits all of CafCu’s videos including in the "CafCu News" series for the organization's website and newsletter! 

Atsuko has been perfecting the Cafeteria Ranger program and training since 2010, bringing in Japanese style student run operation to NYC school cafeterias. Before joining the CafCu team, Atsuko designed and conducted a waste reduction program for public school cafeterias, engaging students while teaching and training them about sorting and waste reduction. Her recently created short documentary, SCHOOL LUNCH IN JAPAN, has over 33 million views on YouTube and been widely inspirational, showing the importance of "quality of the mealtime" to many in the public school community, including Government Agency Directors, teachers, and students.
Contact her at: atsuko@cafeteriaculture.org