Eva Mendes in new sexy style: Photo: Eva Mendes has signed on to star as Grace in ANSIEDAD (Anxiety) for Pantelion Films. Patrcia Riggen (LA MISMA LUNA) is directing the script from screenwriter Hiram Martinez.   ANSIEDAD was a top five finalist in the Nicholl’s Screenwriting Fellowship back in 2009.

The story is about a 13 year old Dominican-American girl who decides she will transform her detested life by putting herself through a classic teen rite of passage.

Currently in prep, production is scheduled to begin February 28 in Vancouver.  Lionsgate is distributing and hopes to have the film ready for the Toronto Film Festival in the fall.

I read the script a while back and it’s very solid.  This is one I’m looking forward to seeing since after all I’m Dominican.  Hiram Martinez is also in discussion for American remake of Chilean hit "Que Pena Tu Vida" with Wilmer Valderama to star for Pantelion.

Noting that 26 million U.S. moviegoers are Hispanic and that they represent more than one-fourth of all frequent moviegoers in the U.S., Pantelion will release a slate of eight to 10 films a year over the next five years targeted to Latino audiences, kicking off with the comedy FROM PRADA TO NADA which comes out later this month.