The London-based independent production/distribution company Axiom Films will team up with New York-based Journeyman Pictures to produce The Girl.

The Girl was written and will be directed by David Riker, whose award-winning film La Ciudad was also produced by Paul Mezey's Journeyman Pictures.

The project, which is a finalist for the 2009 Sundance/NHK Filmmakers Award, is expected to shoot on location in Mexico and Texas later this year.

English actor Emily Blunt is cast a young Texan woman who is thrown into an unexpected and life-changing journey with a girl from southern Mexico.

Axiom's MD Douglas Cummins said, 'David Riker has crafted a rare gem of a script with an instant emotional appeal, and we are delighted to be working with a writer / director of his calibre in realizing this exciting project.

'The further combination of major casting and the opportunity to partner with such a skilled producer as Paul Mezey is very much what Axiom is all about in terms of working on strong projects and original ideas with top talent'.

Axiom Films was previously linked with Journeyman Pictures, as the UK distributor for the latter's Academy Award nominated Half Nelson in 2006 and the forthcoming Sugar.