Venice Theatre Actors-Turned-Filmmakers Return for Sarasota Film Festival

April 4, 2025 | Venice

Two Venice Theatre alums are gearing up for the world premiere of their short film, “Shaba Daba,” at the Sarasota Film Festival on April 6. Though the film was produced in Los Angeles, it received massive support from the Venice community when its writer/director, Tony DeNiro, and producer, Mae Bartek, began an ambitious Kickstarter campaign in early 2024. After 30 days of fundraising, the team had amassed over $30,000, and immediately began production. 

“Shaba Daba” follows a passionate, Italian-American Chef as he tries to fix his niece’s quirk of only speaking in her made-up language: “Shaba Daba”… all while cooking chicken parmesan together. DeNiro says, “The Sarasota/Venice community has been so supportive of this film… it’s only fitting that we kick off our festival-run surrounded by friends and family who made this entire film possible.”

DeNiro and Bartek are both Venice natives, and recognizable mainstays of the Venice Theatre stage, where they regularly appeared in SummerStock musicals, such as “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Cabaret” during their high school years. After graduating from Florida State University, they moved to Los Angeles to chase their filmmaking dreams of conquering Hollywood. DeNiro works as the Production Manager for Pinkfong (“Baby Shark”), and Bartek is the proud owner of Wasted Potential Production Company.

“Shaba Daba” celebrates the joy and connection of cooking with loved ones, and is brought to life with the fresh new talent of its star, six-year-old Isla Lemire, as well as veteran actors Nick Gregorio and Jordan Carlson. Joining DeNiro and Bartek on the production team are Producer, Greg Austin (usually in front of the camera, in works such as Amazon’s “Hunters,” ITV’s “Mr. Selfridge,” and BBC’s “Class”), and Sarasota-based Associate Producers, Linda DeNiro, Dr. Teri Lyn DeNiro, and Lucinda Schlotterback. Rounding out the high-profile crew is Editor, Samuel James Bellamy (“The First Omen”), with music by the award-winning composer, Jonathan Bartz (“Avatar: The Way of Water”). 

“Shaba Daba” will be screened at New College of Florida/Sainer Pavilion on April 6 at 11a.m.