Di Sarno- The story of Emilio's Ballato
If you walk down Manhattan’s Houston street, you probably won’t notice this restaurant- unless you wonder what all these people are standing in line for.
It’s a place that’s unpretentious, yet a celebrity hangout.
It’s famous, yet most people have never heard about it.
It’s an Instagram spot, yet the owner doesn’t have a mobile phone.
Emilio learned to read from recipe books and to cook from his mother. His influence is everywhere- from the food to the smallest details in the restaurant.
The connection to Southern Italy runs deep. Emilio was born in the San Marzano area, home of the famous tomatoes. Gioacchino, his brother-in-law still grows them there for him.
The passion this family pours into the restaurant is what makes it magical.
This is what New York is about.
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Johannes KroemerDirector
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Lou CarvellDirector
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Johannes KroemerProducer
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Lou CarvellProducer
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Johannes KroemerCinematographer
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Vanina FeldszteinCinematographer
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Johannes KroemerEditor
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Vanina FeldszteinEditor
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Adam SosinskiSound Design
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Raunak KapoorColorist
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Joe DavisExecutive Producer
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Project Type:Documentary, Short
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Runtime:9 minutes 46 seconds
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Completion Date:August 1, 2023
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Production Budget:10,000 USD
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Country of Origin:United States
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Country of Filming:Italy, United States
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:Digital
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Aspect Ratio:16:9
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:Yes
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Student Project:No
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Digital Cinema Package:Unavailable
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Short. Sweet. Film Fest.Cleveland, OH
United States
March 3, 2024
World Premiere
Outstanding Documentary -
American Documentary And Animation Film FestivalPalm Springs, CA
United States
March 22, 2024
California Premiere
Official Selection -
Independent Film Festival BostonBoston, MA
United States
May 1, 2024
New England Premiere
Official Selection -
Short Shorts Film Festival & AsiaTokyo
Japan
June 6, 2024
Asian Premiere
Official Selection -
Woods Hole Film FestivalWoods Hole, MA
United States
August 2, 2024
Official Selection -
San Antonio Film FestivalSan Antonio, TX
United States
July 30, 2024
Texas Premiere
Official Selection -
Sidewalk Film FestivalBirmingham, AL
United States
August 24, 2024
Southeast Premiere
Official Selection -
DC ShortsWashington, DC
United States
September 5, 2024
Official Selection -
Soho International Film FestivalNew York, NY
United States
September 22, 2024
New York State Premiere
Official Selection -
Catalina Film FestivalCatalina Island, CA
United States
September 26, 2024
Official Selection -
Bushwick Film FestBrooklyn, NY
October 18, 2024
Official Selection -
Devour! The Food Film FestivalWolfeville
Canada
October 26, 2024
Canada Premiere
Official Selection -
St. Louis International Film FestivalSt. Louis, MO
United States
November 8, 2024
Missouri Premiere
Best Documentary Short -
Big Apple Film FestivalNew York, NY
United States
November 20, 2024
Award Nominee -
Beyond The Short
June 24, 2025
Official Selection -
Film Shortage
June 24, 2025
Daily Pick -
Lighthouse International Film FestivalLong Beach Island, NJ
June 7, 2025
Official Selection -
Short.Sweet. Film Fest New YorkNew York
United States
September 27, 2025
Official Selection -
Arena Theater Short Film FestivalPoint Arena, CA
United States
November 7, 2025
Official Selection -
Sedona International Film FestivalSedona
United States
February 28, 2026
Arizona Premiere
Official Selection
Johannes Kroemer was born in Suhl in East Germany.
He fled the country two months before the wall came down.
Johannes studied Photography in Berlin and New York City. He worked as a documentary photographer for publications in the US and Europe.
In 2013 Johannes turned to filmmaking. Together with his wife Vanina Feldsztein he founded Ninetynine Films, a production company that focuses on doc-style marketing videos for a variety of clients.
Lou Carvell grew up in the 60’s in a working-class neighborhood in Freeport, NY.
Lou once played lead guitar in a rock band and owned an antique shop. Then he got into advertising where he discoverd everyone secretly desires to do the first two.
He worked as a creative director in a number of New York Agencies including Ogilvy and Mather and McCann Erickson.
"Di Sarno" is Johannes' and Lou's first documentary.
The restaurant's owner Emilio never cared about promoting his place.
His sons told us that in the past he turned down all requests for filming at Ballato so we count ourselves as extremely lucky to have been granted this exclusive access.
