Latest news with #emotionalHealing
Associated Press
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Sandra Santiago Unveils 'The Life Force' – A Timely Short Film Illuminating the Emotional Energy That Keeps Humanity Moving Forward.
The Life Force: The Supernatural Thriller Captivating Film Festivals. Award-Winning Filmmaker Sandra Santiago Premieres 'The Life Force,' A Poetic and Visually Arresting Exploration of Loss, Renewal, and the Invisible Forces That Heal Us. Los Angeles - June 23, 2025 - With the grace of a seasoned storyteller and the soul of a survivor, award-winning actress and filmmaker Sandra Santiago announces the official release of The Life Force, a short film that explores the emotional and spiritual energy that carries us through grief, healing, and transformation. Poetic and deeply human, The Life Force tells the story of Gina, a woman navigating the aftermath of personal loss who rediscovers a sense of meaning and connection through unexpected encounters. Rich in visual storytelling and grounded in emotional truth, the film offers an introspective reflection on the invisible strength that sustains us in difficult times. 'This story is about the invisible threads — love, memory, spirit — that continue to move us forward,' said Santiago. 'It's personal, but also something everyone has felt.' Actress Sandra Santiago at Golden State Film Festival 2025 - Chinese Theaters, Los Angeles, California. Born from Friendship, Built on Vision: The film is a result of the creative collaboration and personal bond between Sandra Santiago, Eric Marinho, and Reinaldo Vandres. Their friendship, rooted in shared life experiences and spiritual conversations, became the foundation for this artistic endeavor. What started as a series of candid discussions about loss, resilience, and healing grew into a cinematic project with universal relevance. 'We weren't just making a movie,' said executive producer Reinaldo Vandres. 'We were translating our own lives into something others could heal from, too.' Recognized by Festivals, Celebrated by Audiences: The Life Force has already received acclaim on the independent festival circuit: These accolades underscore the film's emotional resonance, visual strength, and narrative significance. The Life Force short film at the Golden State Film Festival 2025. - Chinese Theaters, Los Angeles, California. Video: Video Link: Created in Crisis, Powered by Community: The project was conceived and produced at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, during a time when the film industry was virtually paralyzed. Thanks to the support of individual donors who believed in the filmmakers' vision, The Life Force overcame major obstacles to become a finished work. Their contributions were instrumental in transforming a creative idea into a healing work of art. 'In a moment when filmmaking had nearly stopped, our donors helped us rise,' Santiago said. 'They didn't just fund a film — they lifted a message meant to heal.' Read more about the film's production journey: Life Force IMDb listing: A Franchise in Development: Following the success of the short film, Santiago, Marinho, and Vandres are now developing The Life Force as a cinematic franchise. Future installments will explore interconnected stories grounded in the same themes—emotional transformation, spiritual strength, and the unseen energies that shape the human experience. Film Credits. Written and Directed by: Eric Marinho - EBM Productions Produced by: Sandra Santiago - Serenity Productions Executive Producers: Sandra Santiago - Serenity Productions Eric Marinho - EBM Productions Reinaldo Vandres - Aknanda Productions Cast: Gina – Sandra Santiago Jason – Eric Marinho Pablo – Jaime Ferrar Elise – Rebecca Holden Announcer – Karla Maatouk Helena – Julieta Ortiz Assistant – Akane Millan Principal Investors: Ramon Bautista Jr. Amber Crane Eric Pritchard The Life Force cast, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. The Life Force is a cinematic tribute to resilience, connection, and the emotional current that unites us all. As it expands into a franchise, it continues to prove that even in silence, the human spirit speaks—and it heals. Press Release by: Reinaldo Vandres Press & Media Inquiries: Company Name: Aknanda Productions PR News & Content Creation Contact Person: Reinaldo Vandres - PR Senior Manager/Director Email: [email protected] Phone: (714) 926-1058 Location: Tampa, Florida, United States Website: Media Contact Company Name: Aknanda Productions PR Content Services Contact Person: Reinaldo Vandres - PR Senior Manager/ Director Email: Send Email Phone: 714 926 1058 City: Tampa State: Florida Country: United States Website: Source: Aknanda Productions PR & Branding Content Services
Grazia USA
23-06-2025
- General
- Grazia USA
Horoscopes June 23-29: Go Back To Your Roots With A Renewed Sense Of Purpose
Horoscopes June 23-29, 2025. After last week's drama, there's a big reset feeling coming our way this week as we settle into Cancer season. It's the moment in the astrological calendar when we're called to return to home base—whatever that looks like for you. Connecting with our roots, spending time with chosen family or just lying around, Cancer season is the time of year when being selective with how you choose to spend your energy isn't just a nice idea, it's essential. Straight out of the gates, you're handed an opportunity to reflect on what that means for you as we welcome a new moon in Cancer. This one (like this whole Cancer season) has a strong influence of planning for the future. There's a sense of foresight, and if you're up for it, deep healing. With Neptune also in the mix, letting go of emotional baggage could help open you up to new possibilities. Towards the end of the week, Mercury makes a dramatic entrance into Leo. This is definitely a time to choose your words carefully. Despite feeling more emboldened, boisterous and playful (that's the Mercury in Leo part), the Pluto face off suggests things could get out of hand if you're not mindful with your words. ARIES AND ARIES RISING The new moon is a big reset for rams, especially around your home and family. It could manifest as something as simple as a big wardrobe clear-out, or it could be something more significant, like starting a new chapter with a (painful) mum. However it unfolds, there's a sense that you're making a commitment to setting better boundaries. Less clothes? Less clutter? Less parental drama? It's all good. TAURUS AND TAURUS RISING Loving boundaries are the name of the game this week. With a new moon emphasising the way you relate to your extended family, don't be surprised if your ability to say 'no' is put to the test. Later in the week, new intel could have a ripple effect on how you manage home and work. Keep calm and carry on. Just because your colleagues—especially anyone higher up the food chain—are melting down doesn't mean you need to as well. GEMINI AND GEMINI RISING You're all about the cash money this week as Cancer season lights up your financial sphere. And while one part of you might be chafing to make it rain, there are bigger issues reining in your spending. Check that you aren't buying simply because it's a good deal and not because you actually want the shoes. Also, the desire to splurge might be masking something deeper—a little retail therapy is fun, but it isn't a substitute for dealing with deeper emotional issues. CANCER AND CANCER RISING It's a beautiful week to be a crab, with your home season, Jupiter, and a new moon bringing all the feels. It's big makeover energy that could have you rearing to buy up big in the June sales. Investing in things you'll hold onto (buy once, buy well) is the ticket. But before you go too OTT, try to keep an eye on the longer term. Just around the corner, an unexpected expense later in the week could set the cat among the pigeons. LEO AND LEO RISING As you enter the most low-key month of your astrological year, Leos are invited to hunker down and go within. This is excellent vacation weather, or if you can't get away, it's time to clear your schedule and give yourself time to rest and recharge. Before the week is out, Mercury moves into your home sign, making you feel a little more social… but be cautious of how you use 'yes'; you could bite off more than you can chew. Resist the urge to overpromise and then under-deliver, future you will thank you. VIRGO AND VIRGO RISING Your place in the group chat is the core focus this week. With a new moon signalling new beginnings, it's an excellent moment to extend an olive branch—or cut the cord—with a mate with whom you've had issues. Just remember, if you decide to have a sit-down to discuss water under the bridge, earlier in the week is better. Whatever goes down Thursday/Friday will have explosive repercussions. However it shakes out, be ok with the idea that some people are with us for a season, and others are with us for longer. LIBRA AND LIBRA RISING Your professional sphere is alight this week, with opportunity, growth and expansion on the cards. Career planning conversations, new projects, or just carving out time to think about where you want to go next are all excellent uses for this energy. It's not totally one-note; there is a more serious side (thanks, Saturn), which means you'll have to be strategic and realistic about what's actually doable. Nevertheless, it's a great week to make space for goals, aspirations and dreaming about what's possible. SCORPIO AND SCORPIO RISING The big water energy of Cancer season is a nice place to bob along for Scorpios, who should feel right at home among the sensitive change of pace. Expanding your horizons is a major mood, with big trips, MBAs or a 3-month Bali trip calling your name. Keep in mind the back of the week could be a little contentious. Any grandstanding (not necessarily your own), especially at work, could spiral very quickly. SAGITTARIUS AND SAGITTARIUS RISING You're in deep, unfamiliar waters this week as Cancer season invites you to do a spot of navel-gazing. It's less action-oriented than you'd like, but that's not to say it's without value. In fact, going deep and reflecting on how you could improve your approach to all the hard-to-talk-about things—especially intimacy and cash—could pay off, big time. Make space to think about how you could nurture the you that you are behind closed doors and what you need to feel safer in your relationships. CAPRICORN AND CAPRICORN RISING It's all happening this week for your nearest and dearest, as they face a turning point to either double down or step away from something significant. Your role is to do your best supporting act and stay steady as they feel their way through all the challenges of what will be a very emotional week. Keeping their feet on the ground and, gently, reminding them of where they need to stay realistic will be a balancing act. Be careful how you phrase things—especially later in the week— when a flippant comment could go nuclear. AQUARIUS AND AQUARIUS RISING There's a softness about this week that might not feel too easy, but it is totally worth it. Giving yourself space to rest, restore and reset, especially around the way you manage your time and your wellbeing, is a great way to harness the energy. Finding ways to put yourself, or the most important people in your life, first is key. Take a moment before you launch into anything big, especially later in the week, when an attempt at humour could send your other half spiralling. PISCES AND PISCES RISING Your creative juices are off the charts this week with Cancer season bringing a wave of artistic vision that makes Alessandro Michele look ordinary. For single folks, the sky is primed for some mind-blowing hook-ups. It's a nice time, but keeping one eye on what it could spell longer term is also a good idea. If you're dating, try not to get swept away on the first wave. There's fun to be had, but your gut will tell you whether it's a fun-for-now or something more meaningful. topics: Horoscopes, Horoscope, astrology, Zodiac, star signs, weekly horoscope, 2025 horoscopes, Emma Vidgen, Trending, Culture, featured
Arab News
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Drama therapy workshop in Jeddah explores healing power of expression
JEDDAH: A drama therapy workshop was recently organized under the theme: 'In drama we find the power to express, and in expression we find the power to heal,' at Cinema Al-Balad in Jeddah. Led by Lujain Faqerah, senior psychologist and creative arts supervisor, in collaboration with actor and screenwriter Abdul Al-Shareef, the workshop explored the use of drama therapy in daily life and creative work. Participants, including therapists, creatives, and others, learned how drama can support emotional awareness, healing, and connection. The workshop showed how drama-based therapeutic techniques can help people access unconscious behaviors, foster self-expression, and improve creative practices such as screenwriting and acting. Faqerah told Arab News: 'Drama is integrated naturally in our daily responses and situations. In a therapeutic setting, it helps us observe these interactions and reflect on a deeper level of our unconscious body gestures and movements that might reveal a lot about our personalities.' She made it clear that drama therapy is not about performing but about expressing what lies beneath — emotions, memories, or internal conflicts. Faqerah said: 'The word drama has a negative connotation to the extent that people reject it before trying. Drama therapy does not depend on acting skills or previous experience, but more on your self-expression and the challenges you experience.' Her discovery of drama therapy was transformative. 'It surprised me with the appearance of a hidden part of me that is more bold and confident. When this part emerged and I saw the benefits myself, I started incorporating it in my profession.' Al-Shareef brought a creative perspective as an actor and screenwriter new to drama therapy but interested in its techniques. 'As an actor and a writer, I found this experiment with drama supervision and therapy fascinating. It's a tool that I am willing to explore and learn more about to enhance my life and practice,' he said. 'Some people may think drama therapy is exclusively for artists, but it's not. The techniques can be integrated into everyday routines, varying from person to person depending on their challenges.'
