As filming in Italy draws to a close on The Twilight Saga: New Moon, Summit Entertainment has released a batch of new images for your first look at scenes from the vampire romance sequel to 2008's smash hit, Twilight. Find high resolution versions of the three new images inside which depict helmer Chris Weitz directing the pivotal birthday party scene, Bella's (Kristen Stewart) meadow encounter with the bad guy bloodsucker Laurent (Edi Gathegi), and -- brace yourselves, Twilighters -- a kissing scene between Bella and Edward (Robert Pattinson)!

In The Twilight Saga: New Moon (in theaters November 20, 2009), returning heroine Bella (Kristen Stewart) is left heartbroken when her vampire beau, Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) leaves the town of Forks, where she is left to deal with a few familiar villains and a burgeoning friendship with the Quileute teen, Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner).

As new director Chris Weitz (American Pie, About a Boy, The Golden Compass) wraps up filming in Montepulciano, Italy, we've got your first look at the first three stills from the sequel. (Check them out before Googling the shirtless kissing spy photos that hit the internet today!)

[SPOILER ALERT - scene descriptions contain plot spoilers]

The first new photo is a behind-the-scenes shot of what appears to be the birthday party scene that opens Stephenie Meyer's novel sequel, New Moon. The party, thrown by Alice (Ashley Greene) and the Cullen family in honor of Bella's 18th birthday, comes to an abrupt end when the accident-prone Bella injures herself, throwing the newly vegetarian vampire Jasper (Jackson Rathbone) into a frenzy. Bella, as we see here, ends up on the ground with shattered glass shards -- not the ideal situation in a room full of vampires. Click on image for larger version.

In addition to unveiling Bella's green party dress and the new Cullen home, this behind-the-scenes shot also reveals our first glimpse of director Weitz, who was brought on to replace original film helmer Catherine Hardwicke for the sequel. It's a strong image that conveys Weitz's authority over the set with subtlety.

In another newly released image we see Bella's fateful encounter with the returning vampire Laurent (Edi Gathegi), who we last saw as a foe-turned-friend when he warned the Cullen clan about James' tracking skills in Twilight. Though he might give the Cullen way of life a try, can Laurent ignore his lust for human blood -- especially when he stumbles across the solitary Bella in Edward's meadow?

Finally, we saved the best for last. It's hard to tell what place in the film this appears, since by the events of New Moon, Bella and Edward's relationship is well established and, well, they should be used to kissing. So let's take a closer look. They're outside; can this be the scene where Edward takes Bella for a walk and breaks her heart? His expression could be one of emotional pain, or it could be the pain of abstaining from Bella's sweet blood. What do you think?

For more images and news from The Twilight Saga: New Moon, visit RT's Twilight Corner!