Mario Cerrito

American filmmaker

Mario Cerrito

Cerrito in 2020

Born|

Mario Cerrito III

(1984-03-01) March 1, 1984 (age 41)

South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US

Occupation(s)| 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.[1] 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.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]

## Early life and education

[edit]

Mario was born in South Philadelphia, on March 1, 1984. He was raised in Audubon, New Jersey. He is Italian American.[11] He lived in Woodstown, New Jersey, and graduated from Woodstown High School in 2002.[12] He played Division II baseball at Rowan College at Burlington County from 2003 to 2004.[13][14]

## Career

[edit]

### Deadly Gamble and The Listing

[edit]

Cerrito produced a short film titled The Cornfield Massacre in 2012.[15] In 2013, he wrote, produced, and directed his first feature film, Deadly Gamble, which screened at Delsea Drive in Theatre in Vineland, New Jersey.[16][17][18] 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.[19][20]

In 2015, Cerrito directed The Listing with a $25,000 budget. It won best feature film at the 2019 HNN Film Festival.[21] 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.[22][23] Bloody Disgusting wrote about the movie in 2017 and Dread Central in 2019.[24][25][26][27][28]

### Human Hibachi series

[edit]

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.[29][30] 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.[31][30] 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.[32][33] Invincible Entertainment brought the movie to Marché du Film at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival in France.[34] The film later was released to FOUND TV in November 2024.[35]

In summer 2021, Cerrito made the sequel Human Hibachi 2: Feast in The Forest. The movie was filmed in Mount Holly, New Jersey[7][36] and premiered in July 2022 in Philadelphia.[37] It went on to win best feature film at New Jersey Horror Con and Film Festival in Atlantic City, New Jersey.[38] Troma Entertainment picked the movie up for worldwide release.[39][40] The film was later released to FOUND TV in November 2024.[41]

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.[42][43][44][45][46]

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.[47][48][49][50][51][52] [53] [54]

### Other work

[edit]

Cerrito wrote and produced The House in the Pines featuring Mick Strawn as Director and Joe Nicolo from Butcher Bros. as composer.[55]

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.[56][57][58] The movie was released by Anchor Bay Entertainment to multiple Video On Demand platforms.[59]

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.[60]

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.[61][62][63][64][65][66][67]

Cerrito made a short film called Wall Of Souls in 2024.[68]

Cerrito was listed in a top ten independent horror filmmaker list from Horrornews.net in 2024.[69]

### TV appearances

[edit]

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."[70] He also had a minor role in the series Chase Street, which was featured on Amazon Prime.[71][72]

## Awards and nominations

[edit]

Year  | Event  | Work  | Category  | Result

|
|
|
|

2019  | Horror News Network Film Festival  | The Listing | 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 | Human Hibachi | 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

[edit]

In 2013, Cerrito wrote Chasin' Brandy: An Extraordinary Tale of Puppy Love.[73][74]

In 201,3 he co-wrote a screenplay, Union City Streets, with Renoly Santiago.[75][76]

## Filmography

[edit]

### Film

[edit]

Year  | Film

|

Director | Writer | Producer | Actor | Notes
2014  | The Meatball | No | Yes | Yes | Yes  | Short film
2015  | Deadly Gamble | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes
2015  | Arisen | No | No | Yes | No
2016  | I SAW | No | No | Yes | No
2017  | The Listing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes
2019  | Right Before Your Eyes  | No | No | Yes | No
2020  | Human Hibachi | 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

[edit]

Year  | Title  | As Self  | Actor  | Notes

|
|
|
|

2017  | Chase Street | No  | Yes  | Season 1 Episode 3
2019  | Ghost Nation | Yes  | Yes  | As self in Season 1 Episode 3 "The Novelist's Nightmare"

## Personal life

[edit]

In 2014, Cerrito spoke to communication students at Woodstown High School, his alma mater, about filmmaking.[77]

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.[78]

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.[79][80]

In 2019, Cerrito was present when professional volleyball player Eric Zaun's committed suicide at Borgata in Atlantic City, New Jersey.[81][82][83]

He and his wife Charmaine reside in Mantua Township, New Jersey.[84][2]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Alexander, Dan AlexanderDan (June 12, 2019). "Man leaps to death from Borgata hotel room, cops say". New Jersey 101.5.
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3. ^ Russo, John (August 2024). "Guests can still hear the screams 22 years after Dracula Castle burned down in Wildwood". pressofatlanticcity.com. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
4. ^ Garcia, Mar (October 5, 2023). "Mario Cerrito's Human Hibachi". TBM Horror. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
5. ^ "South Philly director cooks up another horror film". September 9, 2021.
6. ^ bloodyflicksblog (February 22, 2023). "Human Hibachi 2 coming to Kings of Horror". Bloody Flicks. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
7. ^ a b https://nj.gov/njfilm/assets/images/spotlights/2022-10/Horror-Movies-Filmed-in-New-Jersey-2022.pdf
8. ^ "Human Hibachi Takes A Trip Into Tromaville". December 18, 2024.
9. ^ ""Human Hibachi: The Beginning" Wins Best NJ/NY Horror Film at New Jersey Horror Film Festival". August 22, 2023.
10. ^ https://creepybonfire.com/horrortainment/tv-and-films/human-hibachi-3-the-last-supper-a-final-course-of-horror/
11. ^ Cook, Jim Jr (June 21, 2013). "James Gandolfini legacy, loss felt throughout South Jersey". NJ.com.
12. ^ Roncace, Kelly (May 10, 2014). "Woodstown native Mario Cerrito visits high school to discuss filmmaking". nj. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
13. ^ "Rowan College at Burlington County – NJCAA Stats". NJCAA.
14. ^ "2003–04 – NJCAA Stats". NJCAA.
15. ^ Roncace, Kelly (December 1, 2012). "Woodstown High School graduate Mario Cerrito is realizing his dream as a writer/producer". NJ.com.
16. ^ Roncace, Kelly (October 12, 2016). "N.J. filmmaker debuts first feature film at Delsea Drive-In". NJ.com.
17. ^ "N.J. filmmaker to release thriller 'Deadly Gamble' through national cable outlets". NJ.com. March 7, 2015. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
18. ^ "'Deadly Gamble:' N.J. filmmaker's feature film now available On Demand". NJ.com. March 24, 2015. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
19. ^ "Meet Mario Cerrito". canvasrebel.com.
20. ^ Roncace, Kelly (March 7, 2015). "N.J. filmmaker to release thriller 'Deadly Gamble' through national cable outlets". NJ.com.
21. ^ "Mario Cerrito III's "The Listing" Wins Best Feature at 2019 HNN Film Festival". May 27, 2019.
22. ^ White, Sheri. "'The Listing' is Coming to Blu-ray, DVD, and VOD via SGL Entertainment". Horror World. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
23. ^ Millican, Josh (November 26, 2019). "Trailer: The Listing is Out Now on Blu-ray/DVD & VOD via SGL Entertainment". Dread Central. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
24. ^ Millican, Josh (November 26, 2019). "Trailer: THE LISTING is Out Now on Blu-ray/DVD & VOD via SGL Entertainment". Dread Central.
25. ^ "A Double Feature of What We Love About Indie Cinema". September 16, 2017.
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27. ^ "Interview: Mario Cerrito III (The Listing)". June 3, 2018.
28. ^ Ryan, Lisa. "Horror scene". Burlington County Times.
29. ^ "Banned Film "Human Hibachi" Releasing on Its Own Website". Horror Society. October 16, 2020.
30. ^ a b Drame, Assane (August 11, 2018). "N.J. filmmaker shooting his latest horror flick on an iPhone in South Jersey". NJ.com.
31. ^ Zimmaro, Mark (September 9, 2021). "South Philly director cooks up another horror film".
32. ^ "Human Hibachi Breaks Tops 100 Horror Best Sellers on Amazon". Horror News. August 15, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
33. ^ Joy, Michael (August 13, 2022). "Human Hibachi – Now Available Everywhere from Invincible Pictures". Horror Asylum. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
34. ^ "Cannibals at Cannes – Invincible Pictures debuts Human Hibachi". Horror News. May 20, 2023. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
35. ^ "Human Hibachi 1 & 2 Now Available on FOUND TV – The Horror Times".
36. ^ "Mantua resident starts making sequel to his gory cannibalism film". June 29, 2021.
37. ^ "The World Premiere of "Human Hibachi 2, Feast in the Forest" is Mouth Watering". July 28, 2022.
38. ^ "Mario Cerrito's "Human Hibachi 2: Feast in the Forest" Takes Best Feature Film at New Jersey Horror Con & Film Fest". September 20, 2022.
39. ^ "Human Hibachi 2: Feast in the Forest signs with Troma Entertainment". November 20, 2022.
40. ^ "Troma Acquires 'Human Hibachi2: Feast in the Forest' for Troma Now Streaming Service". November 4, 2020.
41. ^ "November Indie Horror: From Streaming Thrills to New Found Footage". October 26, 2024.
42. ^ "Mario Cerrito's Human Hibachi: The Beginning arrives on Troma Now". October 4, 2023.
43. ^ "Human Hibachi: The Beginning filming wraps on Mario Cerrito's cannibal prequel". June 15, 2023.
44. ^ "Human Hibachi: The Beginning filming wraps on Mario Cerrito's cannibal prequel". June 19, 2023.
45. ^ "Human Hibachi: The Beginning".
46. ^ "Human Hibachi: The Beginning wins Best NJ/NY Horror Film at New Jersey Horror Film Festival". August 21, 2023.
47. ^ "Human Hibachi Takes A Trip Into Tromaville". Screen One. December 17, 2024.
48. ^ "Lloyd Kaufman announced for Human Hibachi 3". Screen One. November 25, 2024.
49. ^ "'Human Hibachi 3: The Last Supper' Starts Production This Winter – ScareTissue". August 27, 2024.
50. ^ https://www.horrorsociety.com/2024/11/26/troma-films-lloyd-kaufman-announced-for-human-hibachi-3-the-last-supper/
51. ^ McNeely, Kelli Marchman (November 26, 2024). "Lloyd Kaufman Joins the Cast of Gore Fest 'Human Hibachi 3'".
52. ^ "Human Hibachi 3: The Last Supper – Signs Scream Queen Debbie Rochon – The Horror Times".
53. ^ https://horrornews.net/182036/mario-cerritos-highly-acclaimed-cannibal-franchise-sits-down-for-a-final-supper/
54. ^ https://www.horrorsociety.com/2025/02/24/first-look-at-human-hibachi-3-the-last-supper/
55. ^ "Mick Strawn and Jeremy Brown to co-direct the House in the Pines". September 25, 2020.
56. ^ "14th Annual Gatrden State Film Festival 2016 Winners" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 28, 2021.
57. ^ "Exclusive pics/comments: New screen psycho finds "A Place in Hell"". May 20, 2015.
58. ^ Albrizio, Lianna. "'A Place in Hell' earns a place in state's film festival". North Jersey Media Group.
59. ^ "A Look At The Horror Thriller A Place In Hell". HorrorFuel.com: Reviews, Ratings and Where to Watch the Best Horror Movies & TV Shows. January 20, 2016.
60. ^ "The Philly Offensive Season 1 Full Episodes". MSN. Watch Online Guide.
61. ^ Staff, A. O. L. (August 15, 2024). "At Voorhees Town Center, repairs from April fire keep 'fright site' creator in limbo". www.aol.com.
62. ^ "At Voorhees Town Center, repairs from April fire keep 'fright site' creator in limbo". Yahoo News. August 15, 2024.
63. ^ "Fear Village is a new haunted attraction coming to New Jersey the Fall of 2024". Horror Society. October 27, 2023. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
64. ^ Greca, Mar Della (October 30, 2023). "Fear Village is a new haunted attraction coming to New Jersey the Fall of 2024". TBM Horror. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
65. ^ "Movie News – Monstrous.com". Retrieved June 10, 2024.
66. ^ Greca, Mar Della (November 9, 2023). "Fear Village is a new indoor haunted attraction coming to the Voorhees Town Center in Voorhees, New Jersey in 2024". TBM Horror. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
67. ^ "Fear Village indoor haunted attraction coming to Voorhees, NJ". Horror News. November 9, 2023. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
68. ^ "Teaser Video for South Jersey's newest haunted attraction, FEAR VILLAGE". Horror Society. April 7, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
69. ^ "Top Ten Horror Indie Filmmakers You Need To Follow". September 7, 2024.
70. ^ "Haunted house in Mantua will be featured on Travel Channel's new 'Ghost Nation'".
71. ^ "DVD Locker".
72. ^ Friedman, Josh. "'Chase Street' on Amazon Prime is passion project for former Camden basketball star". Courier-Post.
73. ^ "Movie Filming in Audubon called "Deadly Gamble" by Mario Cerrito". Haddonfield-Haddon Township, NJ Patch. December 20, 2013. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
74. ^ Cerrito, Mario (September 21, 2013). Chasin' Brandy: an extraordinary tale of puppy love. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. ISBN 9781492828181. Retrieved June 10, 2024 - via isbndb.com.
75. ^ "mario cerrito producer". BlueJeanFood.
76. ^ "Movie Filming in Audubon called "Deadly Gamble" by Mario Cerrito". Haddonfield-Haddon Township, NJ Patch. December 20, 2013.
77. ^ Roncace, Kelly (May 10, 2014). "Woodstown native Mario Cerrito visits high school to discuss filmmaking". NJ.com.
78. ^ Roncace, Kelly (January 24, 2016). "7-year-old with chronic illness to appear in N.J. filmmaker's upcoming movie". NJ.com.
79. ^ "Riverside High School Drives Safe".
80. ^ "Courier-Post". www.courierpostonline.com.
81. ^ Alsup, Blake (June 12, 2019). "25-year-old man plunges to his death from 29th floor of Atlantic City hotel". nydailynews.com.
82. ^ Yemi, Frank (June 13, 2019). "Eric Zaun death: Pro Beach Volleyball player dead from apparent suicide at age 25".
83. ^ "Police say man died in jump from Borgata hotel window in Atlantic City". PhillyVoice. June 12, 2019.
84. ^ Lawrence, Ryan (September 25, 2020). "Movie Magic: Mantua filmmaker gets horror movie vet to direct his script". The Sun Newspapers. Retrieved June 10, 2024.