"BEING: Guidance in How to BE Rather Than How to DO" by Alicia Sedgwick

 

In her illuminating latest book BEING: Guidance in How to BE Rather Than How to DO, Alicia Sedgwick invites readers on a transformative journey inward—away from the relentless culture of productivity and performance, and toward a deeper, more meaningful presence with ourselves and the world around us.

Known for her work in public speaking and communication coaching, Sedgwick shifts her focus from external expression to internal grounding, offering a guidebook for anyone seeking peace, authenticity, and self-awareness in a fast-paced world.

 

At the core of BEING lies a profound, yet simple premise: that we are not defined by what we do, but by who we are. Sedgwick explores the often-overlooked power of stillness, presence, and acceptance. Rather than prescribing yet another checklist for personal development or success, she encourages readers to let go of the constant urge to achieve, fix, or improve—and instead, to be with themselves fully, as they are.

This is not a call to inaction, but a redefinition of action itself. Sedgwick emphasizes that authentic doing must arise from a centered, grounded being. She uses personal stories, practical insights, and gentle exercises to lead readers into a place of mindfulness and inner alignment, where decisions and actions flow naturally, rather than being forced.

While the book is spiritual in tone, it is grounded in accessible language and practical guidance. Each chapter unfolds like a conversation with a wise mentor—calm, compassionate, and clear. Topics such as self-worth, emotional resilience, trust, and surrender are explored not as lofty ideals, but as lived experiences. Sedgwick does not shy away from the realities of pain, uncertainty, and vulnerability. Instead, she shows how these experiences can become pathways to deeper presence and self-acceptance.

 

One of the most compelling aspects of BEING is its focus on intuition and inner truth. Sedgwick encourages readers to listen to the quiet voice within, to reclaim a relationship with their inner guidance system that is so often drowned out by external expectations. In doing so, she provides a gentle but powerful antidote to the overwhelm of modern life.

Whether you’re a professional feeling burned out by the constant pressure to perform, a seeker on a spiritual path, or simply someone looking for more peace and clarity in your daily life, BEING offers nourishment for the soul. It’s a book to read slowly, to return to, and to let sink in.

Alicia Sedgwick’s voice is both soothing and empowering—inviting readers not to strive for transformation, but to relax into it. In a world obsessed with doing, BEING is a breath of fresh air: a reminder that we are already whole, already enough, and that sometimes, the most courageous thing we can do is simply be.

 

As a friend and someone deeply admired not only in Monaco but throughout the region, I see Alicia and her partner, Annette Anderson, as cherished figures within the LGBTQ+ community. They embody strength and offer invaluable mentorship—something profoundly needed in today’s world.

BEING: Guidance in How to BE Rather Than How to DO is more than a book—it’s a companion for those ready to step off the treadmill of busyness and into the sanctuary of presence. Alicia Sedgwick doesn’t teach you how to become someone else; she gently shows you how to come home to yourself.

Get your copy of BEING today on Amazon and other online retail platforms.

Queer Palm 2025: Official Film Selection Announced for Cannes

 

The Queer Palm, a prestigious award celebrating LGBTQ+ cinema at the Cannes Film Festival, has unveiled its official film selection for the 2025 edition. Spanning across the festival’s major categories, this year's lineup features a diverse and compelling array of queer-themed narratives and filmmakers from around the globe.

Competition / Sélection Officielle

Three films have been selected to represent the Queer Palm in Cannes’ main competition lineup:

• Alpha by Julia Ducournau
  

• The History of Sound by Oliver Hermanus
  

• La Petite Dernière by Hafsia Herzi

Un Certain Regard / Sélection Officielle

The Un Certain Regard section, known for showcasing innovative and daring cinema, includes the following Queer Palm contenders:

• Love Me Tender by Anna Cazenave-Cambet
  

• La Misteriosa Mirada del Flamenco (The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo) by Diego Céspedes
  

• Pillion by Harry Lighton
  

• O Riso e a Faca (I Only Rest in the Storm) by Pedro Pinho

Hors-Compétition / Sélection Officielle

• La Femme la Plus Riche du Monde by Thierry Klifa has been selected out of competition.

Cannes Première / Sélection Officielle

• La Ola (La Vague) by Sebastián Lelio will be presented in the Cannes Première section.

Quinzaine des Cinéastes

• Enzo by Laurent Cantet, directed by Robin Campillo
  

• Que Ma Volonté Soit Faite by Julia Kowalski
  

• Sorry, Baby by Eva Simon

Semaine de la Critique

• A Useful Ghost by Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke
  

• Des Preuves d'Amour by Alice Douard

ACID (Association for the Distribution of Independent Cinema)

• Drunken Noodles by Lucio Castro
  

• Laurent dans le Vent by Anton Balekdjian, Léo Couture, and Mattéo Eustachon

With this selection, the Queer Palm continues its mission to spotlight stories that challenge norms, celebrate diversity, and highlight the richness of queer voices in global cinema. The winner will be announced during the Cannes Film Festival, taking place from May 13 to May 24, 2025.

The 2025 Official Selection of the Cannes Film Festival

 

The 78th Cannes Film Festival, taking place from May 13 to 24, 2025, promises a rich tapestry of global cinema, showcasing both seasoned auteurs and emerging talents. Under the presidency of French actress Juliette Binoche, the main competition jury includes notable figures such as Halle Berry and Jeremy Strong.

Official Selection – In Competition

This year's Palme d'Or race features 22 films from diverse backgrounds:

• "The Phoenician Scheme" by Wes Anderson: A stylized espionage tale set in the 1960s.

• "Eddington" by Ari Aster: A Western comedy exploring themes of identity and belonging.

• "Nouvelle Vague" by Richard Linklater: A homage to the French New Wave, blending fact and fiction.

• "Alpha" by Julia Ducournau: A psychological thriller delving into the human psyche.

• "Die, My Love" by Lynne Ramsay: An adaptation of Ariana Harwicz's novel, portraying a woman's descent into madness.

• "Sentimental Value" by Joachim Trier: A family drama featuring Renate Reinsve and Stellan Skarsgård.

• "The Young Mothers' Home" by Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne: A poignant look at young women navigating motherhood.

• "Two Prosecutors" by Sergei Loznitsa: A historical drama set in 1937 Soviet Union, exploring themes of justice and morality.

• "Romería" by Carla Simón: The final installment in Simón's trilogy on rural Spain.

• "Sirât" by Óliver Laxe: A tale of a family's search for their daughter in the Moroccan desert.

Other notable entries include "The Mastermind" by Kelly Reichardt, "The History of Sound" by Oliver Hermanus, and "Resurrection" by Bi Gan.

Un Certain Regard

This section spotlights innovative storytelling and emerging voices:

• "Eleanor the Great" by Scarlett Johansson: Johansson's directorial debut, exploring themes of aging and self-discovery.

• "The Chronology of Water" by Kristen Stewart: An adaptation of Lidia Yuknavitch's memoir, marking Stewart's directorial debut.

• "Urchin" by Harris Dickinson: A gritty portrayal of youth and survival.

• "My Father's Shadow" by Akinola Davies Jr.: Nigeria's first official selection, delving into familial bonds and heritage.

• "Once Upon a Time in Gaza" by Tarzan and Arab Nasser: A narrative set against the backdrop of conflict, highlighting resilience and hope.

Out of Competition & Special Screenings

High-profile premieres and tributes include:

• "Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning" directed by Christopher McQuarrie, starring Tom Cruise.

• "Highest 2 Lowest" by Spike Lee: A documentary exploring socio-economic disparities.

• "Leave One Day" by Amélie Bonnin: The festival's opening film, a French comedy.

Additionally, Robert De Niro will be honored with the Honorary Palme d'Or for his outstanding contributions to cinema.

 Midnight Screenings

• LE ROI SOLEIL by Vincent Maël CARDONA

• HONEY DON’T by Ethan COEN

• DALLOWAY by Yann GOZLAN

• EXIT 8 by KAWAMURA Genki

• FENG LIN HUO SHAN by MAK Juno (SONS OF THE NEON NIGHT)

Cannes Premiere

• AMRUM by Fatih AKIN

• MA FRÈRE by Lise AKOKA & Romane GUERET

• SPLITSVILLE by Michael Angelo COVINO

• MAGALHÃES by Lav DIAZ

• RENAI SAIBAN by Kōji FUKADA (LOVE ON TRIAL)

• LA OLA de Sebastián LELIO (THE WAVE)

• CONNEMARA by Alex LUTZ

• ÁSTIN SEM EFTIR ER by Hlynur PÁLMASON (THE LOVE THAT REMAINS)

• ORWELL: 2+2=5 by Raoul PECK

• DAS VERSCHWINDEN DES JOSEF MENGELE by Kirill SEREBRENNIKOV (THE DISAPPEARANCE OF JOSEF MENGELE)

Special Screenings

• ARCO by Ugo BIENVENU | 1st film

• BONO: STORIES OF SURRENDER by Andrew Dominik

• DITES-LUI QUE JE L’AIME by Romane BOHRINGER (TELL HER I LOVE HER)

• MARCEL ET MONSIEUR PAGNOL by Sylvain CHOMET (A MAGNIFICENT LIFE)

• QUI BRILLE AU COMBAT by Joséphine JAPY | 1st film (THE WONDERERS)

• THE SIX BILLION DOLLAR MAN by Eugene JARECKI

• L’HOMME QUI A VU L’OURS QUI A VU L’HOMME by Pierre RICHARD

• MAMA by Or SINAI | 1st film

• AMÉLIE ET LA MÉTAPHYSIQUE DES TUBES by Maïlys VALLADE & Liane-Cho HAN | 1st film (LITTLE AMÉLIE)

Cannes Classics

Celebrating cinematic history, restored classics will be showcased:

• "The Gold Rush" (1925) by Charlie Chaplin: A 4K restoration marking its centennial.

• "Barry Lyndon" (1975) by Stanley Kubrick: A restored version of the period drama.

• "Amores Perros" (2000) by Alejandro González Iñárritu: A revisit to the acclaimed Mexican drama.

And many other films in between, with a blend of global narratives, debut features, and cinematic tributes, the 2025 Cannes Film Festival reaffirms its position as a premier platform for celebrating the art of filmmaking.

The LGBTQ History of the Cannes Film Festival: A Legacy of Visibility, Artistry, and Resistance

 

Since its inception in 1946, the Cannes Film Festival has been one of the most prestigious platforms in the world for celebrating cinema. But beyond the glitz, red carpets, and Palme d’Or accolades, Cannes has also played a pivotal role in elevating LGBTQ voices, stories, and artists—sometimes subtly, often boldly—reflecting the evolving societal attitudes toward gender and sexuality. The festival’s history with LGBTQ cinema is one of both radical defiance and groundbreaking artistry.

Early Subtext and Coded Stories (1940s–1960s)

In its early decades, Cannes mirrored the broader hesitations of global cinema when it came to queer representation. LGBTQ characters were often relegated to subtext or stereotypes due to the constraints of censorship and social norms. However, some films, such as La Dolce Vita (1960) by Federico Fellini, which premiered at Cannes, offered glimpses of queer identities, though often coded and indirect.

A Quiet Emergence (1970s–1980s)

The 1970s and 1980s marked a period of emerging LGBTQ visibility at Cannes, paralleling the rise of liberation movements globally. In 1987, Pedro Almodóvar—an openly gay Spanish director—debuted Law of Desire, a film centered on a gay love triangle. Though it wasn't officially in competition, its provocative content and unapologetic portrayal of queer desire positioned Almodóvar as a bold new voice. Almodóvar would go on to become a Cannes regular and win Best Director in 1999 for All About My Mother, a film that sensitively explored themes of gender identity and sexuality.

New Queer Cinema and Global Recognition (1990s)

The 1990s were transformative. The rise of New Queer Cinema brought raw, unapologetic queer stories to the forefront, and Cannes became an important stage for this movement. Films like The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994) brought drag and trans identity to international attention. Todd Haynes’ Velvet Goldmine (1998), which explored glam rock’s queer aesthetics, was nominated for the Palme d’Or and won the Special Jury Prize.

In 1997, the jury awarded the Palme d’Or to Taste of Cherry by Abbas Kiarostami, a film interpreted by some as a metaphor for queer alienation and existential struggle. While not overtly LGBTQ, the film's openness to interpretation signaled Cannes’ willingness to embrace ambiguous and layered narratives.

Mainstream Queer Recognition (2000s–2010s)

The 21st century brought a wave of international LGBTQ cinema to the Cannes spotlight. In 2013, Abdellatif Kechiche’s Blue Is the Warmest Colour made history as the first film to win the Palme d’Or and have the prize explicitly awarded to its two lead actresses, Adèle Exarchopoulos and Léa Seydoux, alongside the director. The film, a deeply intimate lesbian love story, stirred both acclaim and controversy—for its raw portrayal of sexuality and for concerns over the male gaze.

Other notable entries include Carol (2015) by Todd Haynes, a refined and deeply emotional story of lesbian love in the 1950s, and 120 BPM (Beats Per Minute) (2017) by Robin Campillo, a French film about the AIDS activist group ACT UP Paris. 120 BPM won the Grand Prix and became a cultural touchstone, reflecting both LGBTQ history and the fight for visibility and survival.

Expanding the Spectrum (2020s–Present)

Cannes has increasingly opened its arms to stories from across the LGBTQ spectrum. In 2022, Lukas Dhont’s Close, a film exploring adolescent male intimacy and emotional repression, won the Grand Prix. In 2023, Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Monster introduced a nuanced narrative that dealt with queer youth experiences in contemporary Japan, subtly weaving queerness into a broader critique of societal judgment and misunderstanding.

Trans narratives, nonbinary characters, and intersectional queer experiences are becoming more visible at Cannes, thanks to a growing international pool of filmmakers. The Queer Palm, an independently sponsored award established in 2010, further cements Cannes’ recognition of LGBTQ cinema. Though not officially part of the festival's awards, it highlights the best LGBTQ-themed films across all sections, helping to spotlight lesser-known gems.

Beyond the Screen: Queerness on the Croisette

The festival is not only about the films—it’s also about the people who make them. Cannes has seen openly queer directors, actors, and jury members become central figures on the international stage. Xavier Dolan, a gay Canadian filmmaker, has had several films in competition, including Mommy (2014), which won the Jury Prize. His work and visibility as a young queer auteur have been influential.

Moreover, the red carpet itself has become a site of subtle (and sometimes overt) queer expression, where fashion, gender performance, and visibility converge. From Tilda Swinton’s androgynous glamour to queer couples walking hand in hand, Cannes has gradually evolved into a space of representation both on and off screen.

Conclusion: A Festival of Queer Possibilities

While not without criticism or controversy, the Cannes Film Festival has undeniably contributed to the advancement of LGBTQ cinema. From early subtexts to full-throated celebrations of queer identity, Cannes has chronicled—and at times catalyzed—the shifting tides of queer visibility in film. Its legacy is not only one of cinematic prestige but also of cultural impact, pushing the boundaries of what stories are told and who gets to tell them.

As new generations of filmmakers continue to expand the definition of queer cinema, Cannes remains a vital, if imperfect, mirror of our global journey toward inclusion, representation, and artistic freedom.