Eva Longoria starts 2023 'Flamin' Hot' at the Palm Springs International Film Festival

Eva Longoria is gearing up for a hot 2023. And we mean flaming hot.

Her feature film directorial debut, "Flamin' Hot," is set to release this year, and earned Longoria an honor as part of Variety's 10 Directors to Watch at the Palm Springs International Film Festival this week.

The movie focuses on the real-life story of Richard Montañez, a former janitor at Frito-Lay who is said to have come up with the spicy snack the world now knows as Hot Cheetos.

In his book, "Flamin' Hot: The Incredible True Story of One Man's Rise from Janitor to Top Executive," Montañez shares how he drew inspiration from his roots in Mexico — and its cuisine — to add chili flavor to Cheetos and how that changed his life. In the film, he is portrayed by actor Jesse Garcia.

"When I read the script … I didn't know the story. I said, 'Wait, what? A Mexican janitor did what?' I was ashamed I didn't know it," Longoria said. The actress is of Mexican descent and was born in Texas.

"I was like, I should be telling this story over and over and over again," she said.

Soon, she'll be doing just that when "Flamin' Hot" premieres on Hulu on June 9. Longoria told The Desert Sun that the film is inspirational by nature and she believes it will "impact a lot of young Latinos," in particular.

"What really excites people about the movie is looking up to somebody like Richard Montañez and going, he did that, maybe I can do it too," she said.

In a way, the impact is two-fold, given the rarity of seeing a Latina in the director chair in Hollywood.

"I am Richard Montañez," Longoria said.

She added: "(Latinos) often get just one bite of the apple, so when you get your shot, you're a little bit more pressured to do well ... so I definitely felt that. It felt like, not only do I have to get Richard's story right, but I've got to do well for the rest of the Latinas that want to direct and that are directing. I have to show the world that there's untapped talent within our community."

Aside from the pressure, Longoria said it was "an honor" to be able to bring the story to the big screen.

Meanwhile, the honor she received at the festival for directing the movie initially left her speechless, Longoria said. "I think directors that come off of this list do great things, and I'm honored to be among amazing directors."

'Aristotle and Dante'

Before finding out about her recognition at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, Longoria had already planned to attend in support of "Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe," a film she stars in that marks the directorial debut of Aitch Alberto.

"I'm barely in it ... but she's amazing!" Longoria said.

The movie is set in 1987 in El Paso and is a story of first loves and self-acceptance. It follows two outcast teenagers: Ari, played by Max Pelayo, and Dante, played by Reese Gonzales.

The script draws from a young adult novel by the same name — one that Longoria said was introduced to her by her stepdaughter, who was thrilled to learn about the screen adaptation and that the "Desperate Housewives" actress would be in it.

"I thought, wow! This book must have really resonated with young people," Longoria said.

"Aristotle and Dante" also features the popular Mexican actor Eugenio Derbez and has Lin-Manuel Miranda of "Hamilton" as part of the team of producers.

"Eugenio and I starred in 'Dora (and the Lost City of Gold).' He's also my neighbor and one of my husband's best friends. And Lin's the one that called me for this project ... Of course, any time Lin calls, I say yes!" Longoria said of her work with the pair.

"Aristotle and Dante" will screen at the film festival on Sunday, Monday and next weekend, on Sunday, Jan. 15.

After a quick trip to the Coachella Valley for the event, Longoria plans to fly back to Barcelona, where she is currently filming "La tierra de las mujeres" ("Land of Women"), a series for Apple TV+ also based on a novel.

"The reason I'm in Spain right now is I'm acting. Everybody's like, 'Oh, are you directing?' I'm like, no, I'm just an actor!" Longoria joked, though she hasn't ruled out directing more movies in the future.

"I'm actually looking for my next directorial project. I've been very, very picky because 'Flamin' Hot' was such a love story for me and I felt it with all my heart and soul," she said.

Eliana Perez covers the eastern Coachella Valley. Reach her at eliana.perez@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ElianaPress.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Eva Longoria is 'Flamin' Hot' at the Palm Springs film festival