Vesuvio launching low-budget pics at Cannes

Vesuvio Entertainment is launching the psycho-thriller "Behind Your Eyes" at Cannes, the first of at least six low-budget movies it plans to produce and distribute internationally.

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It stars Tom Sandoval ("Puppet Master: Axis of Evil") Swedish actress Frida Farrell ("Contract Killers") and Daniel Fanaberia, who also wrote the screenplay. It will mark the directing debut of Clint Lien, whose writing credits include "Bridge of Dragons," starring Dolph Lundgren, and the Canadian TV series "The Immortal."

According to Vesuvio CEO Greg Sims, its next production will be the sci fi thriller "Dopamine," which goes into production later this year in Toronto and Saskatchewan on a budget of under $2 million. It was also written by Fanaberia, who will also be one of the stars of the movie, which doesn't yet have a director or cast.

Vesuvio plans to produce six to eight movies in the coming year with budgets of about $2 million each.

Sims, who also works in the music business, prides himself on having cast a number of stars early in their careers including George Clooney (in "Red Surf") and Amanda Peet (in "Touch Me").

Sims also announced that veteran sales executive Stefania Vitali, formerly vp sales at New Films, has joined the company as a sales consultant.

Sims founded Vesuvio in 2008 after serving as CEO of Devin International. His board includes David Fox, formerly of Fox-Lorber and now co-chairman of Unapix as well as former Beatles business manager Ronald Schneider.

"Behind Your Eyes" is about a couple who on a trip to meet his parents get involved in a kidnapping.

"Dopamine" is about a project manager who in dealing with his own sex and drug addiction saves a young woman and avoids a global disaster.