America Ferrera is American Tragic

Ugly Betty star America Ferrera (in Oscar de la Renta) sparkles at the 2008 Glamour Women of the Year Awards at NYC’s Carnegie Hall on Monday.

The 24-year-old actress will star and exec produce the drama American Tragic, with her longtime boyfriend Ryan Piers Williams directing his own screenplay. Production starts in February in New Mexico for a projected fall 2009 release.

According to Variety, American Tragic centers on a young war vet, played by newcomer Ryan O’Nan, who sets off across the country with a buddy to find redemption. America will play his wife and Melissa Leo (Frozen River) his mother.