PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A Maine native’s comedy/horror movie about giant insects overwhelming an American city owes its completion to Mel Gibson’s production company.

Kyle Rankin says he was surprised to learn that Gibson’s company, Icon Productions, produces low-budget films as well as big productions. With its financial backing, the York native and his crew went to Bulgaria to shoot “Infestation.”

The Portland Press Herald says the film is due to be released on DVD in October. It was premiering Saturday night on the SyFy cable channel.

Rankin made films in Maine for 10 years before heading Los Angeles. He got his break in 2003 when he and his longtime creative partner, Efram Potelle, won a competition and created “The Battle of Shaker Heights” starring Shia LaBeouf.