Two low-budget thrillers, Cactus and Cedar Boys, have received production funding from the AustralianFilm Commission (AFC), while a third film, TheBullet Boy, was promised money for post-production.

Writer/director JasmineYuen-Carrucan, producer Paul Sullivan and executive producer Bryan Brown, whois best known internationally as an actor, are behind Cactus.

The film tells the story ofa man who takes a desperate plunge to help acquire a few last moments ofhappiness for his dying wife. It starts shooting early next year and also hasinvestment from the New South Wales Film and Television Office and privatefinanciers, along with a distribution guarantee from Hoyts.

Daniella Ortega is producingwriter/director Serhat Caradee's CedarBoys, about a young Lebanese panel beater struggling to realise his dreams.

The Bullet Boy is the story of a Pashtun lad who challenges his father's authority byrefusing the future mapped out for him in an area of the Hindu Kush mountains where weapons are manufactured.

The film was made by writer/directorBejamin Gilmour and producer Carolyn Johnson in collaboration with thevillagers of Darra in Pakistan.

The total investment in thethree films is $1.4m (A$1.8m). Up to now the AFC's IndiVision Production Fundhad enabled the production of five films. Of these, The Caterpillar Wish and Westare finished while Lake Mungo, Black Waterand Ten Empty are in post-production.

The fund has also providedpost-production finance for All MyFriends Are Leaving Brisbane.

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