The Nearly Forgotten Incident

A screen-worthy partnership.

Florida filmmakers Kyle Marra, Lief Thomason, and James McTague of Root & Branch Films and OddLife Studios sought the ideal setting for their next project, and Clermont Main Street seized the chance to revive the city’s cinematic legacy by partnering with and sponsoring the production. Together, the production team and Clermont Main Street secured permits and transformed historic downtown Clermont into a working, real-world film set. Film partially funded by: Clermont Main Street, Discover Lake County, and Film Florida.

In February 2026, the cast and crew filmed over five nights and returned a few weeks later for additional shots. Residents and visitors lined the sidewalks to watch filmmaking in action, while students from South Lake State College gained hands-on experience on an active set. Throughout the shoot, the cast and crew praised Clermont’s charm and hospitality.

Clermont’s film history runs deep: in 1922, Juanita Films drew 1,500 people to town for a screening. Clermont Main Street aims to surpass that milestone with a public screening of The Nearly Forgotten Incident and its accompanying documentary, tentatively in January 2027. Stay tuned for updates!

Photo credits: John Michael Apsey

Film Website
A black-and-white photo of a man in a suit and fedora hat standing next to a vintage black car at night. A young man in a suit is walking nearby. In the background, there are shops with lit signs, including one for Badcock Furniture.
Two men in dark clothing wearing hats, standing by a vintage car at night in a park, with a river, trees, and distant lights in the background.
Three people standing and talking in front of a restaurant with outdoor seating, umbrellas, and signs for pizza, sushi, pasta, and gelato, at night.
A group of five people, four men and one woman, sitting on chairs at a sidewalk corner at night, with one man standing and talking. The group appears to be engaged in a discussion. The scene is in black and white, with streetlights illuminating the a
A man with a beard and tattoos on his arms working on electronic equipment at night outside a building with warm lighting, a porch, and a vending machine in the background.
A black and white photo of a deserted street at night with a vintage car approaching from the distance with headlights on. The street is lined with trees, lampposts, and residential buildings, with no visible people.

Behind The Scenes in Downtown Clermont

Check out the special effects team talking to the students from South Lake State College on set.

"I have traveled to a lot of different states for film and tv work so being able to film in Clermont was great. Instead of spending hours on the road or being away for extended periods, I was able to enjoy filming and still be close to my family and daily routine.

The experience was fantastic from start to finish. Clermont has a welcoming atmosphere, and it was great to be able to focus on the job and still being able to drive home afterwords.

Opportunities like this don’t come around often in my line of work, so I truly appreciated being able to film locally. It made the entire experience more enjoyable, less stressful, and one I’ll remember forever.”

— Antony Matos (Fast Five, The Suicide Squad, Transformers: The Last Knight)

“Filming in downtown Clermont was maybe the easiest part of shooting The Nearly Forgotten Incident.

Honestly, I thought our biggest challenges would come in those nights, but the support we had gave us space to focus on the shots we needed to get, which included stunt scenes.

Clermont was generous and supportive at every turn, and proactive when we brought up logistical concerns around filming in a busy downtown street with limited time.”

— Lief Thomason (Co-Director & Cinematographer)

"When we started looking for a town with character for the opening of our film, Clermont wasn't even on the radar, but Clermont Main Street Director, Natalie Kahler, was adamant that we check out the area. When we came by, we fell in love with the brick streets, city layout, and historic charm. It made for the perfect setting for a noir 1970s cold open.

Partnering with Clermont Main Street, Discover Lake County, Lake Sumter State College, and the city was such a great experience. Everyone made the process so easy every step of the way.

It was a fantastic setting for a period piece made even better by the collaborative spirit of the community. Clermont received us with open arms, and we hope to return for the 90s portion of the film!!

— Kyle Marra (Co-Director)

Film Facts

  • Dr. Emeka Okoro arrives under cover of fog, burdened by the weight of his own invention—“Candy Cane,” a device with the power to reshape the future. When ordered to hand it over to shadowy government agents, he faces a painful reckoning: trust the system or destroy what he created. As betrayal looms, Okoro must confront the terrifying cost of his own brilliance in The Nearly Forgotten Incident.

  • In a town gripped by bizarre disappearances, a group of unlikely allies stumble upon a sinister candy company whose dark secrets threaten everything they hold dear.

  • The cast includes Conphidance, Paul Wilson, Eric Roberts, Jamie Costa, Antony Matos, Jordy Klein, and Jennifer Hale.

  • When a brilliant scientist arrives under cover of fog to deliver a world-altering invention, he must choose between handing it over to shadowy government agents—or destroying it himself, in a fight to protect the future from his own creation.

  • Espionage, Mystery, Adventure, Thriller

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  • Story Written & Produced by: Kyle Marra, Lief Thomason, and James McTague

    Directed by: Kyle Marra & Lief Thomason

    Starring: Conphidance, Eric Roberts, Jamie Costa, Paul Wilson, Antony Matos with Jennifer Hale & Jordy Klein

    Director of Photography: Lief Thomason

    1st AC: Tommy McTague

    Production Manager: Audra Thomason

    1st AD: Caleb Oosterling

    Sound Mixer: Mike Baker

    StuntCoordinator: Kevin Rego and K2 Second Unit Stunts

    Special Effects Supervisor: William Whitehurst & After Dark FX

    Special Effects Team: Adam Coley, Melanie Coley, Jeremy Demoss, Noah Fant, Dachet Grival, and Lexi Paltzer.

    Armorer: Tom Downes

    Costumer: Randi Olsen

    Hair & Makeup: Julie Edwards

    Gaffer: Michael Elliott

    Best Boy Electric: Trevor Zulinke

    Electrician: Daniel Mctague

    Grip Team: Justin Gillespie, Tyler Mauriello, Caleb Jarvis, Jakob Ivie, Ryan Pierson, Christopher Harris

    BTS Video: Michell Hobbs

    BTS Photos: John Apsey

    Set Medic: Zeke Garcia

    Script Supervisors: Kathryn Mcmanus, Kenna Hayden

    Craft Services: Dawn and Emily Mosher

    Composer: Andrew Gerlicher

    Editor: Lief Thomason

    Supervising Sound Editor: Matthew Reisinger

    Colorist: Marieta Farfarova

    Lake Sumter State College: Aspacia Lindstrom, Amare Alleyne, Kairi Aphrodite, Alice Benyo, Brittany Castellano, Issa Issaku, Mackenzie Jones, Laurensku Louissaint, Arin Pedraza, Max Taylor-Hazel, Bianca Valentin, and Madison Winegard

    Special Thanks: Andy Haffer, Patricia Washington, Natalie Kahler, Ron Dykes, J Brian Miles, Elizabeth Wydro, Aimee Stanley, Leo Stanley, Tony Stanley, Patrece Blookmfield, David Colby, Cory Cody, Correlli's Pantry, Lake County PD, and Clermont Public Works.