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:
Official Selection – Silicon Beach Film Festival 2024 – Chinese Theater, Los Angeles
Winner – Best Drama Short – Golden State Film Festival 2025 – Chinese Theater, Los Angeles
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 Link: https://www.youtube.com/embed/3Re-GaNkqeQ
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:
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: www.AknandaProductions.com
Media ContactCompany Name: Aknanda Productions PR Content ServicesContact Person: Reinaldo Vandres – PR Senior Manager/ DirectorEmail: Send EmailPhone: 714 926 1058City: TampaState: FloridaCountry: United StatesWebsite: www.aknandaproductions.com
