GIRL IN PROGRESS To Release Nationwide April 27

LIONSGATE PRESENTS IN ASSOCIATION WITH PANTELION FILMS and TELEVISA FILMS

GIRL IN PROGRESS, STARRING AWARD-WINNING ACTRESS EVA MENDES

Heart-warming Coming of Age Family Film To Release Nationwide April 27, 2012

 SOURCE: Rogers & Cowan

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (January 27, 2012) – PANTELION FILMS presents the heart-warming, coming of age family drama Girl in Progress, starring Eva Mendes (The Other Guys, Hitch, Training Day), Cierra Ramirez, Matthew Modine (The Dark Knight Rises), Patricia Arquette (A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III; Medium) and Eugenio Derbez (Under the Same Moon, Rob!). This inspiring film releases in theaters nationwide on April 27, 2012 and reminds us to enjoy life in the moment, cherish our families, love our neighbors, respect ourselves and not take for granted what is right in front of you.

Directed by Patricia Riggen (Under the Same Moon) and adapted from a screenplay written by Hiram Martinez, Girl in Progress tells the story of Grace (Eva Mendes), a single mom who is too busy juggling work, bills and relationships, to give her daughter, Ansiedad (Cierra Ramirez) the attention she desperately needs. When Ansiedad’s English teacher, Ms. Armstrong (Patricia Arquette), introduces her students to classic coming-of-age stories, Ansiedad is inspired to skip adolescence and jump-start her life without mom. While Grace becomes preoccupied with the increasing affections of her co-worker (Eugenio Derbez), Ansiedad enlists the help of her loyal friend, Tavita (Disney star Raini Rodriguez), to plot her shortcut to “adulthood.” But as her misguided plan unravels, Ansiedad and Grace must learn that sometimes growing-up means acting your age.

The film is already attracting the attention and support of churches and organizations across the country including Life Teen and the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC).

“The message is bound to impact thousands of lives and bring a life altering revelation, which will transform the homes of Hispanic families across the nation,” says the NHCLC.

Director Riggen, who had garnered a grand jury prize at Sundance for her short documentary, Family Portrait, burst onto the feature scene with Under the Same Moon (La Misma Luna) which earned a 15-minute standing ovation when it premiered at Sundance in 2007. It then went on to be one of the highest grossing Spanish language films of all time.

“After La Misma Luna, every Hispanic flavored script in Hollywood was sent my way,” says Riggen.  “But I’m not really interested in movies just because they are Hispanic.  I’m interested in great storytelling.  I like movies about emotions, and Girl in Progress had the potential to be really funny and moving.  It’s about mothers and daughters and how complicated their relationships can be.”

For more information about Girl in Progress and access the official movie trailer, please visit http://www.facebook.com/GIRLINPROGRESSmovie?sk=app_251689628233699.

About Pantelion Films

Pantelion Films is the first major Latino Hollywood studio and the new face of Hispanic entertainment.

It is a synergistic partnership between Lionsgate Entertainment and Grupo Televisa. Pantelion provides Hispanic moviegoers with a steady source of exciting and original films, which include top-rated Latino actors, directors and writers. From broad comedies and dramas, to family movies and romantic comedies, Pantelion produces and acquires movies that speak directly to acculturated and Spanish-dominant Hispanics alike. Additionally, the company’s partnership with the largest cinema chains in America ensures that each film is accessible across the country to enjoy.

Lionsgate is the leading independent film and television studio responsible for such box office hits as the Tyler Perry Franchise, Crash, Precious and Monster’s Ball. Televisa is the largest and most powerful Spanish language media company in existence, and has established itself as a leader in serving the entertainment needs of Hispanic audiences around the world.