Hot on the heels (or neck) of the recent smash opening of the new horrorific movie, The Twilight Saga: New Moon, two local filmmakers are seeking similar success.

Lantana’s Marcie Gorman, a former Weight Watchers franchisee, is executive producer and co-director of the spooky new flick, The Incubus, a dark romance about the undead.

Shayne Leighton of Boynton Beach, a recent Dreyfoos High School of the Arts grad, stars in, wrote and co-directed the film, and sang most of the original songs on the soundtrack. Shayne, 19, won an award for filmmaking at last year’s Delray Beach Film Festival.

A special screening of The Incubus will be held on Saturday, December 12, 7 p.m., at Cinema Paradiso, 503 S.E. 6th Street in Fort Lauderdale. To request tickets to the screening, people should email Marcie@marciegorman.com.

The Incubus is the eerie tale of a small college town beset by a frightening unexplained illness and the arrival of a mysterious new student.

In addition to Ms. Leighton, who has been a performer since the age of 5 and has appeared in more than a dozen TV commercials, the film co-stars include:

• Melvin Lima, a Miami native who has appeared in the short film Inventing Kin and in several TV commercials and print ads.

• Donna Lisa, a Miami native who made her show biz debut at 16 as a dancer and character actor on Sabado Gigante, Univision’s longest running TV show, and has appeared in several independent movies, including Doctor Feelgood, Curiosity and Miami Undercover.

• James Pace, born in Buffalo and raised in Miami native, has had a varied career from police detective to high school football coach to Fire Department captain to sculptor. As an actor, he has appeared in numerous films and TV shows, including Burn Notice and America’s Most Wanted.

• Alexandra Santanna, an 18 year old singer and actress who stars as the lead villainess of the Incubus clan. She is also a recent graduate from Dreyfoos School of the Arts.

Anthony Espina composed the film’s score. The film also includes 11 original songs, currently available on I-Tunes and Napster, that were produced by Ginger Ly Enterprises in Miami.

“A few years ago, I was running a Weight Watchers franchise from Boca to Titusville with more than 250 employees, now I am a producer and co-director a new movie – that’s a real leap,” admits Gorman, who invested $300,000 in the film.

“My goal is to launch my cast onto their life journey, to have a part in helping them achieve their dreams. That really drives the passion in me, and I love it,” she says.

Related posts:

1. The 24th Annual Ft. Lauderdale Film Festival delivers
2. Kravis Center entertains with Woody Allen, African Americal film fest, but also teaches with NYU discussions
3. Coral Springs Comedy Club is back
4. Five Broward high schools named best schools 2010
5. Daily Show and friends added to South Beach Comedy Festival