Biography

Risa Beer (Risa Okamoto) is an award-winning documentary producer/director, and a media educator. She has directed and produced numerous documentaries for major international broadcasters including Discovery Channel, National Geographic Channel, History Channel, Bio Channel, Crime & Investigation Channel, The Travel Channel, Channel News Asia, and Sony Pictures. Her recent awards include a Gold World Medal for Best Social Issues Program at the New York Festivals International TV and Film Awards, and Silver World Medals for Best Directing, Best Biography/Profile and Best Community Service Program.

Her work covers a wide variety of subjects, ranging from rodeo bullriders in Texas to human trafficking in Nepal; from the ancient wonders of China, to the history of Japanese food.

A media educator, Mrs. Beer is experienced in building and teaching curricula for filmmaking students of all levels. She is bilingual in English and Japanese, and holds a B.A. in International Relations and Drama from Stanford University.