Mario Cerrito
{{Short description|American filmmaker}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Mario Cerrito
| image = Cerrito on set.jpg
| caption = Cerrito in 2020
| birth_name = Mario Cerrito III
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1984|3|1}}
| birth_place = South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
| death_date =
| death_place =
| spouse =
| children =
| occupation = Film director, producer
| years_active = 2012–present
}}
Mario Cerrito III (born March 1, 1984) is an American filmmaker, writer, producer and actor most closely associated with the horror genre.{{Cite web |last=Alexander |first=Dan|date=June 12, 2019 |title=Man leaps to death from Borgata hotel room, cops say |url=https://nj1015.com/man-leaps-to-death-from-borgata-hotel-room-cops-say/ |website=New Jersey 101.5}} He is best known for his found footage cult film series Human Hibachi. The movies were released by Troma Entertainment and won best feature film awards at the New Jersey Horror Con and Film Festival. Cerrito is recognized as having an unfiltered approach to horror.
Along with his family, he was featured on Travel Channel’s reality television show Ghost Nation.{{Cite web |last=Berkery |first=Sheri |title='Ghost Nation' team determines source of paranormal activity at South Jersey home |url=https://www.courierpostonline.com/story/news/local/south-jersey/2019/10/26/ghost-nation-travel-channel-reveals-reasons-mario-cerrito-home-haunted/2461303001/ |website=Courier-Post}}{{Cite web |last=Russo |first=John |date=August 2024 |title=Guests can still hear the screams 22 years after Dracula Castle burned down in Wildwood |url=https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/dracula-castle-weekend-wildwood/article_b37c16e0-5736-11ef-8681-8379e05130e5.html |access-date=November 28, 2024 |website=pressofatlanticcity.com}}{{Cite web |last=Garcia |first=Mar |date=October 5, 2023 |title=Mario Cerrito's Human Hibachi |url=https://tbmhorror.com/mario-cerritos-human-hibachi/ |access-date=June 10, 2024 |website=TBM Horror |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=September 9, 2021 |title=South Philly director cooks up another horror film |url=https://southphillyreview.com/2021/09/09/south-philly-director-cooks-up-another-horror-film/}}{{Cite web |last=bloodyflicksblog |date=February 22, 2023 |title=Human Hibachi 2 coming to Kings of Horror |url=https://bloody-flicks.co.uk/2023/02/22/human-hibachi-2-coming-to-kings-of-horror/ |access-date=June 10, 2024 |website=Bloody Flicks |language=en}}https://nj.gov/njfilm/assets/images/spotlights/2022-10/Horror-Movies-Filmed-in-New-Jersey-2022.pdf{{Cite web |date=December 18, 2024 |title=Human Hibachi Takes A Trip Into Tromaville |url=https://horrornews.net/181396/human-hibachi-takes-a-trip-into-tromaville/}}{{Cite web |date=August 22, 2023 |title="Human Hibachi: The Beginning" Wins Best NJ/NY Horror Film at New Jersey Horror Film Festival |url=http://promotehorror.com/2023/08/22/human-hibachi-the-beginning-wins-best-nj-ny-horror-film-at-new-jersey-horror-film-festival/}}https://creepybonfire.com/horrortainment/tv-and-films/human-hibachi-3-the-last-supper-a-final-course-of-horror/https://itsastampede.com/2025/04/20/how-many-human-hibachi-movies-are-there/
Early life and education
Mario was born in South Philadelphia, on March 1, 1984. He was raised in Audubon, New Jersey. He is Italian American.{{Cite web |last=Cook |first=Jim Jr |date=June 21, 2013 |title=James Gandolfini legacy, loss felt throughout South Jersey |url=https://www.nj.com/south/2013/06/james_gandolfini_legacy_loss_f.html |website=NJ.com}} He lived in Woodstown, New Jersey, and graduated from Woodstown High School in 2002.{{Cite web |last=Roncace |first=Kelly |date=May 10, 2014 |title=Woodstown native Mario Cerrito visits high school to discuss filmmaking |url=https://www.nj.com/indulge/2014/05/woodstown_native_mario_cerrito_visits_alma_mater_to_discuss_film_making.html |access-date=June 10, 2024 |website=nj |language=en}} He played Division II baseball at Rowan College at Burlington County from 2003 to 2004 and studied criminal justice.https://rcbc.edu/news/award-winning-director-and-rcbc-alum-mario-cerrito-iii-back-third-installment-horror-franchise{{Cite web |title=Rowan College at Burlington County – NJCAA Stats |url=https://njcaa.org/sports/bsb/2003-04/div2/teams/RowanCollegeatBurlingtonCounty/leaders.html |website=NJCAA}}{{Cite web |title=2003–04 – NJCAA Stats |url=https://njcaa.org/sports/bsb/2003-04/div2/teams/RowanCollegeatBurlingtonCounty/players/MarioCerrito.html |website=NJCAA}}
Career
=''Deadly Gamble'' and ''The Listing''=
Cerrito produced a short film titled The Cornfield Massacre in 2012.{{Cite web |last=Roncace |first=Kelly |date=December 1, 2012 |title=Woodstown High School graduate Mario Cerrito is realizing his dream as a writer/producer |url=https://www.nj.com/indulge/2012/12/woodstown_high_school_graduate.html |website=NJ.com}} In 2013, he wrote, produced, and directed his first feature film, Deadly Gamble, which screened at Delsea Drive in Theatre in Vineland, New Jersey.{{Cite web |last=Roncace |first=Kelly |date=October 12, 2016 |title=N.J. filmmaker debuts first feature film at Delsea Drive-In |url=https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2016/10/nj_filmmaker_debuts_first_feature_film_at_delsea_d.html |website=NJ.com}}{{Cite web |date=March 7, 2015 |title=N.J. filmmaker to release thriller 'Deadly Gamble' through national cable outlets |url=http://www.nj.com/indulge/index.ssf/2015/03/nj_filmmaker_to_release_thriller_deadly_gamble.html |access-date=December 7, 2016 |website=NJ.com}}{{Cite web |date=March 24, 2015 |title='Deadly Gamble:' N.J. filmmaker's feature film now available On Demand |url=http://www.nj.com/indulge/index.ssf/2015/03/deadly_gamble_nj_filmmaker_feature_film_now_available_on_demand.html |access-date=December 7, 2016 |website=NJ.com}} The film was made on a $10,000 budget and was signed to Gregory Hatanaka's distribution company Cinema Epoch. In 2015, it and was released through EPIX, Tubi, and Amazon Prime Video.{{Cite web |title=Meet Mario Cerrito |url=https://canvasrebel.com/meet-mario-cerrito/ |website=canvasrebel.com}}{{Cite web |last=Roncace |first=Kelly |date=March 7, 2015 |title=N.J. filmmaker to release thriller 'Deadly Gamble' through national cable outlets |url=https://www.nj.com/indulge/2015/03/nj_filmmaker_to_release_thriller_deadly_gamble.html |website=NJ.com}}
In 2015, Cerrito directed The Listing with a $25,000 budget. It won best feature film at the 2019 HNN Film Festival.{{Cite web |date=May 27, 2019 |title=Mario Cerrito III's "The Listing" Wins Best Feature at 2019 HNN Film Festival |url=https://horrornews.net/141976/mario-cerrito-iiis-the-listing-wins-best-feature-at-2019-hnn-film-festival/}} The film features horror actress Jessica Cameron. The movie was represented at Marché du Film, the business counterpart to the Cannes Film Festival. The movie was acquired by distribution company SGL Entertainment. It was released in the United Kingdom,
Canada and the United States to Blu-ray, DVD, Amazon Prime, Google Play and iTunes.{{Cite web |last=White |first=Sheri |title='The Listing' is Coming to Blu-ray, DVD, and VOD via SGL Entertainment |url=https://horrorworld.org/the-listing-is-coming-to-blu-ray-dvd-and-vod-via-sgl-entertainment/ |access-date=June 10, 2024 |website=Horror World |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Millican |first=Josh |date=November 26, 2019 |title=Trailer: The Listing is Out Now on Blu-ray/DVD & VOD via SGL Entertainment |url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/314245/trailer-the-listing-is-out-now-on-blu-ray-dvd-vod-via-sgl-entertainment/ |access-date=June 10, 2024 |website=Dread Central |language=en-US}} Bloody Disgusting wrote about the movie in 2017 and Dread Central in 2019.{{Cite web |last=Millican |first=Josh |date=November 26, 2019 |title=Trailer: THE LISTING is Out Now on Blu-ray/DVD & VOD via SGL Entertainment |url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/314245/trailer-the-listing-is-out-now-on-blu-ray-dvd-vod-via-sgl-entertainment/ |website=Dread Central}}{{Cite web |date=September 16, 2017 |title=A Double Feature of What We Love About Indie Cinema |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/editorials/3458875/double-feature-love-indie-cinema/}}{{Cite web |date=September 25, 2020 |title=Movie Magic: Mantua filmmaker gets horror movie vet to direct his script |url=https://thesunpapers.com/2020/09/25/movie-magic-mantua-filmmaker-gets-horror-movie-vet-to-direct-his-script/}}{{Cite web |date=June 3, 2018 |title=Interview: Mario Cerrito III (The Listing) |url=https://horrornews.net/133178/interview-mario-cerrito-iii-the-listing/}}{{Cite web |last=Ryan |first=Lisa |title=Horror scene |url=https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/story/news/local/2018/07/23/horror-scene/9928936007/ |website=Burlington County Times}}
=''Human Hibachi'' series=
File:Kauf.png at Troma Entertainment studios, New York City in 2024]]
Cerrito wrote, produced and directed Human Hibachi in 2018. Shot solely on an iPhone, the movie was initially deemed too extreme for a release to Amazon Prime and was released to its own website instead.{{Cite web |date=October 16, 2020 |title=Banned Film "Human Hibachi" Releasing on Its Own Website |url=https://www.horrorsociety.com/2020/10/16/banned-film-human-hibachi-releasing-on-its-own-website/ |website=Horror Society}}{{Cite web |last=Drame |first=Assane |date=August 11, 2018 |title=N.J. filmmaker shooting his latest horror flick on an iPhone in South Jersey |url=https://www.nj.com/gloucester-county/2018/08/cerrito_film.html |website=NJ.com}} At the New Jersey Horror Con and Film Festival in 2021 it was nominated for Best FX and Best Feature film, winning the latter. The film was also an official selection of Philadelphia Independent Film Festival and signed to Troma Entertainment for release.{{Cite web |last=Zimmaro |first=Mark |date=September 9, 2021 |title=South Philly director cooks up another horror film |url=https://southphillyreview.com/2021/09/09/south-philly-director-cooks-up-another-horror-film/}}
The film was later acquired by distribution company Invincible Entertainment and released to various video on demand platforms in 2022. In August 2022 the DVD ranked in the top 100 best sellers on Amazon.{{Cite web |date=August 15, 2022 |title=Human Hibachi Breaks Tops 100 Horror Best Sellers on Amazon |url=https://horrornews.net/174436/human-hibachi-breaks-tops-100-horror-best-sellers-on-amazon/ |access-date=June 10, 2024 |website=Horror News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Joy |first=Michael |date=August 13, 2022 |title=Human Hibachi – Now Available Everywhere from Invincible Pictures |url=https://www.horror-asylum.com/news/human-hibachi-now-available-everywhere-from-invincible-pictures/ |access-date=June 10, 2024 |website=Horror Asylum |language=en}} Invincible Entertainment brought the movie to Marché du Film at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival in France.{{Cite web |date=May 20, 2023 |title=Cannibals at Cannes – Invincible Pictures debuts Human Hibachi |url=https://horrornews.net/177767/cannibals-at-cannes-invincible-pictures-debuts-human-hibachi/ |access-date=June 10, 2024 |website=Horror News |language=en-US}} The film later was released to FOUND TV in November 2024. The film has been referred to as a modern day cult classic.https://www.grimoireofhorror.com/the-banshee/human-hibachi-2020-film-review/https://horrornews.net/174323/human-hibachi-now-available-everywhere-from-invincible-pictures/https://itsastampede.com/2025/04/20/how-many-human-hibachi-movies-are-there/https://thesunpapers.com/2025/05/23/mario-cerrito-iii-films-with-rcbc-students/{{Cite web |title=Human Hibachi 1 & 2 Now Available on FOUND TV – The Horror Times |url=https://thehorrortimes.com/2024/12/05/human-hibachi-1-2-now-available-on-found-tv/}}
In summer 2021, Cerrito made the sequel Human Hibachi 2: Feast in The Forest. The movie was filmed in Mount Holly, New Jersey{{Cite web |date=June 29, 2021 |title=Mantua resident starts making sequel to his gory cannibalism film |url=https://thesunpapers.com/2021/06/29/mantua-resident-starts-making-sequel-to-his-gory-cannibalism-film/}} and premiered in July 2022 in Philadelphia.{{Cite web |date=July 28, 2022 |title=The World Premiere of "Human Hibachi 2, Feast in the Forest" is Mouth Watering |url=https://horrornews.net/174172/the-world-premiere-of-human-hibachi-2-feast-in-the-forest-is-mouth-watering/}} It went on to win best feature film at New Jersey Horror Con and Film Festival in Atlantic City, New Jersey.{{Cite web |date=September 20, 2022 |title=Mario Cerrito's "Human Hibachi 2: Feast in the Forest" Takes Best Feature Film at New Jersey Horror Con & Film Fest |url=https://horrornews.net/175098/mario-cerritos-human-hibachi-2-feast-in-the-forest-takes-best-feature-film-at-new-jersey-horror-con-film-fest/}} Troma Entertainment picked the movie up for worldwide release.{{Cite web |date=November 20, 2022 |title=Human Hibachi 2: Feast in the Forest signs with Troma Entertainment |url=https://horrornews.net/175999/human-hibachi-2-feast-in-the-forest-signs-with-troma-entertainment/}}{{Cite web |date=November 4, 2020 |title=Troma Acquires 'Human Hibachi2: Feast in the Forest' for Troma Now Streaming Service |url=https://www.macabredaily.com/articles/troma-acquires-human-hibachi-2-feast-in-the-forest-for-troma-now-streaming-service}} The film was later released to FOUND TV in November 2024.{{Cite web |date=October 26, 2024 |title=November Indie Horror: From Streaming Thrills to New Found Footage |url=https://creepybonfire.com/horrortainment/tv-and-films/november-indie-horror-from-streaming-thrills-to-new-found-footage/}}
In 2023, Cerrito produced and directed the short film and third installment, Human Hibachi: The Beginning. The movie won best New Jersey/New York horror film at New Jersey Horror Con and Film Festival. Troma Entertainment acquired it for release to Troma Now in October of the same year.{{Cite web |date=October 4, 2023 |title=Mario Cerrito's Human Hibachi: The Beginning arrives on Troma Now |url=https://www.horrorsociety.com/2023/10/04/mario-cerritos-human-hibachi-the-beginning-arrives-on-troma-now/}}{{Cite web |date=June 15, 2023 |title=Human Hibachi: The Beginning filming wraps on Mario Cerrito's cannibal prequel |url=https://www.horrorsociety.com/2023/06/15/human-hibachi-the-beginning-filming-wraps-on-mario-cerritos-cannibal-prequel/}}{{Cite web |date=June 19, 2023 |title=Human Hibachi: The Beginning filming wraps on Mario Cerrito's cannibal prequel |url=https://horrornews.net/178002/human-hibachi-the-beginning-filming-wraps-on-mario-cerritos-cannibal-prequel/}}{{Cite web |title=Human Hibachi: The Beginning |url=https://filmow.com/human-hibachi-the-beginning-t360092/}}{{Cite web |date=August 21, 2023 |title=Human Hibachi: The Beginning wins Best NJ/NY Horror Film at New Jersey Horror Film Festival |url=https://horror-fix.com/human-hibachi-the-beginning-wins-best-nj-ny-horror-film-at-new-jersey-horror-film-festival/}}
File:ROCHON10.png on set of Human Hibachi 3 in 2025]]
Human Hibachi 3: The Last Supper the fourth installment was announced in August 2024 and is set to be produced in the winter of 2025. The film stars scream queen Debbie Rochon and Lloyd Kaufman. Production started in December 2024 at Troma Entertainment studios in New York City and continued throughout February 2025 in South Jersey.{{Cite web |date=December 17, 2024 |title=Human Hibachi Takes A Trip Into Tromaville |url=https://screen-one.net/human-hibachi-takes-a-trip-into-tromaville/ |website=Screen One}}{{Cite web |date=November 25, 2024 |title=Lloyd Kaufman announced for Human Hibachi 3 |url=https://screen-one.net/troma-films-lloyd-kaufman-announced-for-human-hibachi-3-the-last-supper/ |website=Screen One}}{{Cite web |date=August 27, 2024 |title='Human Hibachi 3: The Last Supper' Starts Production This Winter – ScareTissue |url=https://www.scaretissue.com/human-hibachi-3-the-last-supper-starts/}}https://www.horrorsociety.com/2024/11/26/troma-films-lloyd-kaufman-announced-for-human-hibachi-3-the-last-supper/{{Cite web |last=McNeely |first=Kelli Marchman |date=November 26, 2024 |title=Lloyd Kaufman Joins the Cast of Gore Fest 'Human Hibachi 3' |url=https://horrorfuel.com/2024/11/26/lloyd-kaufman-joins-the-cast-of-gore-fest-human-hibachi-3/}}{{Cite web |title=Human Hibachi 3: The Last Supper – Signs Scream Queen Debbie Rochon – The Horror Times |url=https://thehorrortimes.com/2024/10/07/human-hibachi-3-the-last-supper-signs-scream-queen-debbie-rochon/}}https://horrornews.net/182036/mario-cerritos-highly-acclaimed-cannibal-franchise-sits-down-for-a-final-supper/https://www.horrorsociety.com/2025/02/24/first-look-at-human-hibachi-3-the-last-supper/
=Other work=
Cerrito wrote and produced The House in the Pines featuring Mick Strawn as Director and Joe Nicolo from Butcher Bros. as composer.{{Cite web |date=September 25, 2020 |title=Mick Strawn and Jeremy Brown to co-direct the House in the Pines |url=https://horrornews.net/160010/mick-strawn-and-jeremy-brown-to-co-direct-the-house-in-the-pines/}}
Cerrito provided the main film location for the horror film A Place in Hell. The film won best home grown horror feature film at the 2016 Garden State Film Festival.{{Cite web |url=https://www.gsff.org/wp-content/uploads/14th_Annual_Winners_2016.pdf |title=14th Annual Gatrden State Film Festival 2016 Winners |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728113413/https://www.gsff.org/wp-content/uploads/14th_Annual_Winners_2016.pdf |archive-date=July 28, 2021 |url-status=dead}}{{Cite web |date=May 20, 2015 |title=Exclusive pics/comments: New screen psycho finds "A Place in Hell" |url=http://www.industry-works.com/exclusive-picscomments-new-screen-psycho-finds-a-place-in-hell/}}{{Cite web |last=Albrizio |first=Lianna |title='A Place in Hell' earns a place in state's film festival |url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/bergen/2016/03/25/a-place-in-hell-earns-a-place-in-states-film-festival/94582804/ |website=North Jersey Media Group}} The movie was released by Anchor Bay Entertainment to multiple Video On Demand platforms.{{Cite web |date=January 20, 2016 |title=A Look At The Horror Thriller A Place In Hell |url=https://horrorfuel.com/2016/01/20/a-look-at-the-horror-thriller-a-place-in-hell/ |website=HorrorFuel.com: Reviews, Ratings and Where to Watch the Best Horror Movies & TV Shows}}
He has also produced Variety (2015), Arisen I SAW (2016), The Philly Offensive (2016), Chase Street (2016), and Right Before Your Eyes (2017), among others.{{Cite web |title=The Philly Offensive Season 1 Full Episodes |url=https://www.msn.com/en-gb/entertainment/rf-watch-online/tv-shows/the-philly-offensive/season-1 |website=MSN |series=Watch Online Guide}}
In 2023, Cerrito started a haunted attraction business, Fear Village, at Voorhees Town Center in Voorhees Township, New Jersey. In April 2024, a fire in the mall stalled the plans to open.{{Cite web |author=A. O. L. Staff |date=August 15, 2024 |title=At Voorhees Town Center, repairs from April fire keep 'fright site' creator in limbo |url=https://www.aol.com/voorhees-town-center-repairs-april-095044737.html |website=www.aol.com}}{{Cite web |date=August 15, 2024 |title=At Voorhees Town Center, repairs from April fire keep 'fright site' creator in limbo |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/voorhees-town-center-repairs-april-095044366.html |website=Yahoo News}}{{Cite web |date=October 27, 2023 |title=Fear Village is a new haunted attraction coming to New Jersey the Fall of 2024 |url=https://www.horrorsociety.com/2023/10/27/fear-village-is-a-new-haunted-attraction-coming-to-new-jersey-the-fall-of-2024/ |access-date=June 10, 2024 |website=Horror Society |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Greca |first=Mar Della |date=October 30, 2023 |title=Fear Village is a new haunted attraction coming to New Jersey the Fall of 2024 |url=https://tbmhorror.com/fear-village/ |access-date=June 10, 2024 |website=TBM Horror |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=Movie News – Monstrous.com |url=https://www.monstrous.com/films-news/ |access-date=June 10, 2024 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Greca |first=Mar Della |date=November 9, 2023 |title=Fear Village is a new indoor haunted attraction coming to the Voorhees Town Center in Voorhees, New Jersey in 2024. |url=https://tbmhorror.com/overshadow-a-new-reality-horror-from-thunderknight-entertainment/ |access-date=June 10, 2024 |website=TBM Horror |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=November 9, 2023 |title=Fear Village indoor haunted attraction coming to Voorhees, NJ |url=https://horrornews.net/179110/fear-village-indoor-haunted-attraction-coming-to-voorhees-nj/ |access-date=June 10, 2024 |website=Horror News |language=en-US}}
Cerrito made a short film called Wall Of Souls in 2024.{{Cite web |date=April 7, 2024 |title=Teaser Video for South Jersey's newest haunted attraction, FEAR VILLAGE |url=https://www.horrorsociety.com/2024/04/07/teaser-video-for-south-jerseys-newest-haunted-attraction-fear-village/ |access-date=June 10, 2024 |website=Horror Society |language=en-US}}
Cerrito was listed in a top ten independent horror filmmaker list from Horrornews.net in 2024.{{Cite web |date=September 7, 2024 |title=Top Ten Horror Indie Filmmakers You Need To Follow |url=https://horrornews.net/180799/top-ten-horror-indie-filmmakers-you-need-to-follow/}}
=TV appearances=
Cerrito and his family were featured on the Travel Channel's reality show Ghost Nation. Paranormal investigator Jason Hawes and his crew visited Cerrito's house and the program aired in October 2019. The episode was titled, "The Novelist's Nightmare."{{Cite web |title=Haunted house in Mantua will be featured on Travel Channel's new 'Ghost Nation' |url=https://www.courierpostonline.com/story/news/local/south-jersey/2019/10/24/ghost-nation-travel-channel-features-family-paranormal-mantua-nj/4065854002/}}
He also had a minor role in the series Chase Street, which was featured on Amazon Prime.{{Cite web |title=DVD Locker |url=https://www.dvdlocker.com/movies/movie.php?mid=4216636}}{{Cite web |last=Friedman |first=Josh |title='Chase Street' on Amazon Prime is passion project for former Camden basketball star |url=https://www.courierpostonline.com/story/entertainment/2020/11/12/chase-street-amazon-prime-dream-former-camden-basketball-star/6056073002/ |website=Courier-Post}}
Awards and nominations
class="wikitable" |
Year
! Event ! Work ! Category ! Result |
---|
2019
| Horror News Network Film Festival | Best feature film (as director) | {{won}} |
2020
| Philadelphia Independent Film Festival | Human Hibachi | Best feature film | {{nominated}} |
2021
| New Jersey Horror Con and Film Festival | Best film (as producer) | {{won}} |
2022
| New Jersey Horror Con and Film Festival | Human Hibachi 2: Feast in The Forest | Best director | {{nominated}} |
2022
| New Jersey Horror Con and Film Festival | Human Hibachi 2: Feast in The Forest | Best film (as producer) | {{won}} |
2023
| New Jersey Horror Con and Film Festival | Human Hibachi: The Beginning | Best New Jersey New York film | {{won}} |
2023
| New Jersey Horror Con and Film Festival | Human Hibachi: The Beginning | Best director | {{nominated}} |
Books and other writing
In 2013, Cerrito wrote Chasin' Brandy: An Extraordinary Tale of Puppy Love.{{Cite web |date=December 20, 2013 |title=Movie Filming in Audubon called "Deadly Gamble" by Mario Cerrito |url=https://patch.com/new-jersey/haddon/movie-filming-in-audubon-called-deadly-gamble-by-mario-cerrito |access-date=June 10, 2024 |website=Haddonfield-Haddon Township, NJ Patch |language=en}}{{Cite book |last=Cerrito |first=Mario |url=https://isbndb.com/book/9781492828181 |title=Chasin' Brandy: an extraordinary tale of puppy love |date=September 21, 2013 |publisher=CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform |isbn=9781492828181 |access-date=June 10, 2024 |via=isbndb.com}}
In 2013 he co-wrote a screenplay, Union City Streets, with Renoly Santiago.{{Cite web |title=mario cerrito producer |url=https://bluejeanfood.com/tag/mario-cerrito-producer/ |website=BlueJeanFood}}{{Cite web |date=December 20, 2013 |title=Movie Filming in Audubon called "Deadly Gamble" by Mario Cerrito |url=https://patch.com/new-jersey/haddon/movie-filming-in-audubon-called-deadly-gamble-by-mario-cerrito |website=Haddonfield-Haddon Township, NJ Patch}}
Filmography
= Film =
class="wikitable sortable" style="margin-right: 0;" | |||
rowspan="2" style="width:33px;" | Year
! rowspan="2" style="width:200px;" | Film | |||
---|---|---|---|
style="width:65px;" | Director
! style="width:65px;" | Writer ! style="width:65px;" | Producer ! style="width:65px;" | Actor ! Notes | |||
2014
| The Meatball | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}}
| Short film |
2015
| {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} |
2015
| Arisen | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
2016
| I SAW | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
2017
| {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} |
2019
| Right Before Your Eyes | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
2020
| {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
2022
| Human Hibachi 2: Feast in The Forest | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} |
2023
| Human Hibachi: The Beginning | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}}
| Short film |
2024
| Wall Of Souls | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}}
| Short film |
2025
| Human Hibachi 3: The Last Supper | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}}
| Post production |
= Television =
class="wikitable" |
Year
! Title ! width="65"|As Self ! width="65"|Actor ! Notes |
---|
2017
| Chase Street | {{no}} | {{yes}} | Season 1 Episode 3 |
2019
| {{yes}} | {{yes}} | As self in Season 1 Episode 3 "The Novelist's Nightmare" |
Personal life
In 2014, Cerrito spoke to communication students at Woodstown High School, his alma mater, about filmmaking.{{Cite web |last=Roncace |first=Kelly |date=May 10, 2014 |title=Woodstown native Mario Cerrito visits high school to discuss filmmaking |url=https://www.nj.com/indulge/2014/05/woodstown_native_mario_cerrito_visits_alma_mater_to_discuss_film_making.html |website=NJ.com}}
In 2016, Cerrito visited a sick seven-year-old boy with mitochondrial disease at Nemours Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware. Cerrito gave the boy a signed poster of his movie.{{Cite web |last=Roncace |first=Kelly |date=January 24, 2016 |title=7-year-old with chronic illness to appear in N.J. filmmaker's upcoming movie |url=https://www.nj.com/south/2016/01/7_year_old_with_chronic_illness_to_appear_in_nj_fi.html |website=NJ.com}}
In 2017, Cerrito teamed up with the school resource officer of Riverside High School to film a PSA video, #DrinkDriveDie, for their students. The video showed the dangers of drinking and driving in dramatic fashion to help kids make better decisions. The film debuted at the school's prom assembly.{{Cite web |title=Riverside High School Drives Safe |url=http://riversidepolicenj.blogspot.com/2018/05/riverside-high-school-drives-safe.html}}{{Cite web |title=Courier-Post |url=https://www.courierpostonline.com/get-access/?return=https://www.courierpostonline.com/story/news/2017/05/08/riverside-students-make-movie-driving-drunk/311681001/ |website=www.courierpostonline.com}}
In 2019, Cerrito was present when professional volleyball player Eric Zaun's committed suicide at Borgata in Atlantic City, New Jersey.{{Cite web |last=Alsup |first=Blake |date=June 12, 2019 |title=25-year-old man plunges to his death from 29th floor of Atlantic City hotel |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ny-25-year-old-man-jumps-to-death-from-atlantic-city-hotel-20190613-pyahmbzzt5c5fbvtkhzanb55d4-story.html |website=nydailynews.com}}{{Cite web |last=Yemi |first=Frank |date=June 13, 2019 |title=Eric Zaun death: Pro Beach Volleyball player dead from apparent suicide at age 25 |url=https://www.monstersandcritics.com/celebrity/eric-zaun-death-pro-beach-volleyball-player-dead-from-apparent-suicide-at-age-25/}}{{Cite web |date=June 12, 2019 |title=Police say man died in jump from Borgata hotel window in Atlantic City |url=https://www.phillyvoice.com/atlantic-city-man-jump-borgata-hotel-window-police-new-jersey-death/ |website=PhillyVoice}}
He and his wife Charmaine reside in Mantua Township, New Jersey.{{Cite web |last=Lawrence |first=Ryan |date=September 25, 2020 |title=Movie Magic: Mantua filmmaker gets horror movie vet to direct his script |url=https://thesunpapers.com/2020/09/25/movie-magic-mantua-filmmaker-gets-horror-movie-vet-to-direct-his-script/ |access-date=June 10, 2024 |website=The Sun Newspapers |language=en-US}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cerrito, Mario}}
Category:American horror film directors
Category:Film directors from New Jersey
Category:People from Audubon, New Jersey
Category:People from Mantua Township, New Jersey
Category:People from Woodstown, New Jersey
Category:Woodstown High School alumni
Category:Actors from Camden County, New Jersey
Category:Actors from Gloucester County, New Jersey
Category:Actors from Salem County, New Jersey
Category:Writers from Camden County, New Jersey