Italian Wannabe
New York City, New York | Film Feature
Documentary, Biography
Italian Wannabe is a story about connection—the spaces we build, the rituals we share, and the communities that give us meaning and belonging. Your support will help us complete post-production and fund festival submissions so we can share this story with audiences everywhere.
Italian Wannabe
New York City, New York | Film Feature
Documentary, Biography
1 Campaigns | New York, United States
53 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$8,605
Goal: $10,000 for post-production
Italian Wannabe is a story about connection—the spaces we build, the rituals we share, and the communities that give us meaning and belonging. Your support will help us complete post-production and fund festival submissions so we can share this story with audiences everywhere.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Italian Wannabe is a documentary that blends humor, heart, and the healing power of food. It follows chef Bill Disselhorst as he returns to the small Italian village that inspired the life he built with his late wife, Anne.
In 2003, Bill and Anne fell in love with the simplicity, pace, and flavor of Italian life. That spark led them to open Fiore Market Cafe in South Pasadena, a neighborhood gem famous for its hand-made bread, fresh ingredients, and welcoming sense of community. But after Anne’s sudden passing, and the trials of the pandemic, Bill sold the cafe. Now, he’s going back to Italy where it all began, and looks back at his South Pasadena community he left behind.
Through stunning visuals of Italian countryside, intimate conversations, and the universal language of food, Italian Wannabe explores how love, loss, and community shape who we are and how starting over can reignite the passions we thought we’d lost.
Born in Chicago of Irish descent, Bill spent his life working in restaurants and bars—a self-taught cook with a love of people and a deep passion for Italy. In 2010, he and his wife opened Fiore Market Cafe in South Pasadena, inspired by the warmth and charm of a small Italian village. After 12 successful years running the café, Bill sold it and settled in Casperia—the picturesque Italian town that first inspired him. There, he tends a small olive farm, cares for his horse, hosts lively pizza parties, and inevitably finds his way into every kitchen he can.
In Italy, Bill is surrounded by a vibrant community of local shopkeepers, restaurateurs, and home cooks who share his love of food and connection. From lively piazza gatherings to shared meals in rustic kitchens, these neighbors embody the warmth, generosity, and spirit that first inspired Bill’s journey.
CAMPAIGN GOAL: $10,000
Why do we need to raise $10K on Seed&Spark? Because we made an amazing film and we need help getting over the finish line! So we’re raising funds to complete post-production and submit to top film festivals so this story can inspire audiences everywhere. Your support will help us preserve Anne’s legacy, share Bill’s journey, and remind us all of life’s simple, nourishing pleasures.
There are three ways you can help support our film:
- PLEDGE a donation to our project to help us finish post production and bring the film to the world in 2026. Any amount helps!
- SHARE our campaign page with 3 friends who you think might be interested in learning more.
- FOLLOW us by clicking the blue “FOLLOW” button at the top of our crowdfunding page. It’s totally free! AND make sure to follow our instagram account: @italian_wannabe_film.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Color Grade & Finishing
Costs $5,000
Color grading will enhance the film’s beautiful footage bringing out its richness, depth, and emotion. It helps create a cohesive look.
Sound Design and Mixing
Costs $2,000
Sound Design and Mixing ensures dialogue is clear, music and ambience blend seamlessly, and every moment feels immersive and alive.
Licensing, Rights & Insurance
Costs $3,000
Funding for these items ensure that our film is ready for distribution and festival submissions.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Steve Dabal is an Italian-American film director with a deep background in visual effects and a keen focus on non-fiction storytelling. His work spans a wide spectrum, from conducting interviews with celebrities like Scarlett Johansson and Michael Vick, to Fortune-500 CEOs, war veterans, 9/11 survivors, stroke patients, and climate scientists in the Arctic. Dabal’s work has premiered at prestigious festivals such as the New York Film Festival and South by Southwest and have been showcased across the globe. He is the Co-Founder and Creative Director of the Family in New York City which has grown from a small art collective into a full service production house creating digital and physical artworks. It is proudly artist owned and operated.
Harry Baruch is an Executive Producer known for blending imaginative vision with a calm, collaborative approach in the fast-paced world of commercial, branded, and film production. He began his career in Broadway advertising, contributing to award-winning productions including Phantom of the Opera, Moulin Rouge, Chicago, and Take Me Out. Expanding beyond theater, Harry has produced campaigns for iconic brands and collaborators such as Gucci, Annie Leibovitz Studio, Vogue, HBO, Toyota, and Macy’s. Since 2019, he has led projects in film and television from development through distribution, working closely with A-list talent, visionary directors, and leading agencies. With over a decade of experience, Harry’s strength lies in understanding the heart of each project and uniting the right creative and production teams to bring it to life — always with a focus on quality, storytelling, and connection.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Italian Wannabe is a documentary that blends humor, heart, and the healing power of food. It follows chef Bill Disselhorst as he returns to the small Italian village that inspired the life he built with his late wife, Anne.
In 2003, Bill and Anne fell in love with the simplicity, pace, and flavor of Italian life. That spark led them to open Fiore Market Cafe in South Pasadena, a neighborhood gem famous for its hand-made bread, fresh ingredients, and welcoming sense of community. But after Anne’s sudden passing, and the trials of the pandemic, Bill sold the cafe. Now, he’s going back to Italy where it all began, and looks back at his South Pasadena community he left behind.
Through stunning visuals of Italian countryside, intimate conversations, and the universal language of food, Italian Wannabe explores how love, loss, and community shape who we are and how starting over can reignite the passions we thought we’d lost.
Born in Chicago of Irish descent, Bill spent his life working in restaurants and bars—a self-taught cook with a love of people and a deep passion for Italy. In 2010, he and his wife opened Fiore Market Cafe in South Pasadena, inspired by the warmth and charm of a small Italian village. After 12 successful years running the café, Bill sold it and settled in Casperia—the picturesque Italian town that first inspired him. There, he tends a small olive farm, cares for his horse, hosts lively pizza parties, and inevitably finds his way into every kitchen he can.
In Italy, Bill is surrounded by a vibrant community of local shopkeepers, restaurateurs, and home cooks who share his love of food and connection. From lively piazza gatherings to shared meals in rustic kitchens, these neighbors embody the warmth, generosity, and spirit that first inspired Bill’s journey.
CAMPAIGN GOAL: $10,000
Why do we need to raise $10K on Seed&Spark? Because we made an amazing film and we need help getting over the finish line! So we’re raising funds to complete post-production and submit to top film festivals so this story can inspire audiences everywhere. Your support will help us preserve Anne’s legacy, share Bill’s journey, and remind us all of life’s simple, nourishing pleasures.
There are three ways you can help support our film:
- PLEDGE a donation to our project to help us finish post production and bring the film to the world in 2026. Any amount helps!
- SHARE our campaign page with 3 friends who you think might be interested in learning more.
- FOLLOW us by clicking the blue “FOLLOW” button at the top of our crowdfunding page. It’s totally free! AND make sure to follow our instagram account: @italian_wannabe_film.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Color Grade & Finishing
Costs $5,000
Color grading will enhance the film’s beautiful footage bringing out its richness, depth, and emotion. It helps create a cohesive look.
Sound Design and Mixing
Costs $2,000
Sound Design and Mixing ensures dialogue is clear, music and ambience blend seamlessly, and every moment feels immersive and alive.
Licensing, Rights & Insurance
Costs $3,000
Funding for these items ensure that our film is ready for distribution and festival submissions.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Steve Dabal is an Italian-American film director with a deep background in visual effects and a keen focus on non-fiction storytelling. His work spans a wide spectrum, from conducting interviews with celebrities like Scarlett Johansson and Michael Vick, to Fortune-500 CEOs, war veterans, 9/11 survivors, stroke patients, and climate scientists in the Arctic. Dabal’s work has premiered at prestigious festivals such as the New York Film Festival and South by Southwest and have been showcased across the globe. He is the Co-Founder and Creative Director of the Family in New York City which has grown from a small art collective into a full service production house creating digital and physical artworks. It is proudly artist owned and operated.
Harry Baruch is an Executive Producer known for blending imaginative vision with a calm, collaborative approach in the fast-paced world of commercial, branded, and film production. He began his career in Broadway advertising, contributing to award-winning productions including Phantom of the Opera, Moulin Rouge, Chicago, and Take Me Out. Expanding beyond theater, Harry has produced campaigns for iconic brands and collaborators such as Gucci, Annie Leibovitz Studio, Vogue, HBO, Toyota, and Macy’s. Since 2019, he has led projects in film and television from development through distribution, working closely with A-list talent, visionary directors, and leading agencies. With over a decade of experience, Harry’s strength lies in understanding the heart of each project and uniting the right creative and production teams to bring it to life — always with a focus on quality, storytelling, and connection.