Fantini’s New Haven Style Apizza featured in a new film
Fantini's New Haven Style Apizza and its owner, Jimmy Fantin, will be featured in the new movie A Slice of America: Charred in the Florida Sun Directed by Gorman Bechard, known for his acclaimed documentary Pizza A Love Story, and hosted by pizza historian Colin M. Caplan, this film explores the rich history of New Haven style pizza and Fantin's unwavering passion for perfection. The movie will premiere on Thursday, July 11, 2024, at 7:00 pm at the Lyric Theatre at 59 S.W. Flagler Avenue, Stuart, FL 34994, and is open to the public.
Fantin's journey into the world of pizza began at age fifteen as a dishwasher at a renowned pizzeria in New Haven, Connecticut. His passion for apizza and dedication to his craft propelled him through the ranks, ultimately becoming a master pizza maker. In 2019, Fantin opened Fantini's New Haven Style Apizza, offering an authentic New Haven pizza experience meticulously crafted using the techniques he learned from the old-school pros in New Haven.
"Making apizza is a talent; it's a 'thing.' It's not a fast-food franchise; it's about creating a superior product and making memories for people," says Jimmy Fantin. "At Fantini's, guests can expect the same ingredients, characteristic char, and taste that made New Haven's Wooster Street famous, including specialties like the White Clam Pie and Foxon Park Soda."
A Slice of America: Charred in the Florida Sun is a charming and humorous tale of Jimmy Fantin and his deep love for New Haven's iconic "pizza" (pronounced ah-beetz). The film follows Jimmy's extraordinary journey as he brings the unique, thin-crusted pizza of New Haven to the sunny shores of Stuart, Florida, recently selected as #1 in USA TODAY's 10 Best Readers' Choice Awards 2024 for Best Coastal Small Town and now known for their New Haven style pizza. The film also features a special cameo by the former Mayor, Mike Mortell, City Manager.
On May 22, 2024, U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro entered a statement into the Congressional Record, declaring New Haven the "Pizza Capital of the United States" and Connecticut as the "Pizza State." The state honors its rich pizza history by selling over 150 million apizzas a year.
In this first episode, Jimmy opens Fantini's "New Haven Style" Apizza, quickly winning over the hearts (and stomachs) of Connecticut snowbirds longing for a taste of home. With glowing reviews from loyal patrons and a rave review from One Bite's Dave Portnoy, Fantini's has become a pizza destination in Florida, attracting enthusiasts from far and wide.
To meet the growing demand of his loyal patrons, Fantini's will expand in North Stuart Plaza for the third time and become known as Fantini's Italian Restaurant, featuring New Haven style pizza. The expansion is set to be completed in late June 2024. For more information, visit fantinisapizza.com.
The public is invited to celebrate their love of New Haven-style apizza at the world premiere of "A Slice of America: Charred in the Florida Sun." Tickets can be purchased for $20 at lyrictheatre.com.
About Fantini's New Haven Style APizza:
Jimmy Fantin opened Fantini's New Haven Style APizza in Stuart, Florida, in 2019. His journey into the world of pizza began at age fifteen as a dishwasher at a renowned pizzeria in New Haven, Connecticut. His love for apizza and dedication to his craft saw him rise through the ranks to become a master pizza maker. Jimmy brings this talent to South Florida and gives the community an authentic New Haven pizza experience.
What Were We Thinking Films presents Slice of America
- hosted by COLIN M CAPLAN
- featuring JIMMY FANTIN
- music by DEAN FALCONE
- shot by GORMAN BECHARD KARINA AVDIIEVSKA FAITH MAREK
- edited by SYDNI FRISCH GORMAN BECHARD FAITH MAREK
- produced by GORMAN BECHARD & COLIN M CAPLAN
- written & directed by GORMAN BECHARD
Gorman Bechard (director/co-producer)
Co-owner of What Were We Thinking Films, has numerous feature-length documentaries and narrative features to his credit. Gorman is the director of Color Me Obsessed, a film about The Replacements, which Rolling Stone called one of "The Seven Best New Music Documentaries of the Year." As well as five other rock docs: Who is Lydia Loveless?, What Did You Expect? The Archers of Loaf live at Cat's Cradle, Every Everything: the music, life & times of Grant Hart, What it Takes: Film en Douze Tableaux (about alt-country singer Sarah Shook), and most recently Where Are You, Jay Benett? His narrative features include the award-winning Friends (With Benefits), You Are Alone and Broken Side of Time, and the horror cult classic, Psychos in Love. He also directed the animal welfare documentary, A Dog Named Gucci, for which he was awarded the ASPCA Media Excellence Award 2015 for his work on that film, as well as Seniors: A Dogumentary and Old Friends, A Dogumentary (released December 13, 2022). Recently he completed Pizza: A Love Story, which played to sold-out crowds at film festivals across the country and was released on DVD in the fall of 2020.
Colin M. Caplan (producer)
Colin M. Caplan is an entrepreneur, architect, author, historian, educator, and tour operator running Taste of New Haven food tours and events, Elm City Party Bike and Pedal Cruise boats, as well as tour operations in Florida. He is the author of six books on New Haven history including Pizza in New Haven, is a National Historic Register consultant, and was a visiting professor at Wesleyan University. Caplan is also a film and media producer including the documentary Pizza, a Love Story and Slice of America. Caplan has spearheaded declaring New Haven the Pizza Capital of the United States and making Connecticut The Pizza State. He continues to help build and raise his native Elm City through teaching students, researching & writing history, and providing opportunities to communities, businesses, and residents through grants and events.
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