The Substation, arguably the chief cultivator of the city’s independent arts, is throwing itself a 17th birthday party, and you’re invited. The SeptFest, which starts 1 September, will bring together many of the artists, performers, audience members and groupies that have grown up alongside the venue. But when festival offerings include everything from flea markets to experimental performance art, deciphering the programme can be intimidating. Here’s our guide to the fest’s best bets. 

7th Asian Film Symposium 
6-10 Sep; The Substation Theatre and various venues.
The Symposium, which brings together like-minded filmmakers and the people that love ’em, has already developed a reputation for showcasing the future stars of the Asian film scene. Tan Chui Mui is a case in point. Her short film, ‘A Tree in Tanjung Malim’, was screened two years ago, and now the Malaysian filmmaker returns with her feature-length Love Conquers All. This tale of love and a difficult truth portrays the complexities of life with a delicate touch. It has picked up a clutch of awards, including the Golden Digital Award at the 31st Hong Kong International Film Festival and New Currents award at the 11th Pusan International Film Festival. The Symposium’s curatorial team includes Malaysian filmmaker Amir Muhammad, who’s famous for creating award-winning, provocative films. Beyond entertaining audiences with a selection of movies, there will be opportunities for discussion and debate.

SeptFest: New Performances 
14 & 15, 21 & 22 and 28 & 29 Sep; The Substation Theatre unless otherwise noted.
In this post-modernist world, boundaries between types of art and performance have become suitably hazy. Taking advantage of the freedom this brings, four artists who defy categorisation bring new works to the festival under the umbrella programme of New Performances. Nelson Chia, on-stage earlier this year in Big Fool Lee, has created a piece on the 1937 Nanjing Massacre, titled Nanjing:1937 (21 September; 8pm). Film and visual artist Ho Tzu Nyen explores a more personal history in The House of Memory (14 & 15 September; 8pm). Writer and theatre producer Paul Rae, co-artistic director of Spell#7, presents Tree Duets (28 & 29 September; 8pm). Rae’s previous work includes the critically acclaimed stage production National Language Class. His comical and somewhat eccentric approach produces work notorious for its emotional impact. Finally, Andree Weschler, a performance and visual artist, brings a female perspective to the series. Her works – Innocence #1 & #2 (14 & 15 September; 7.15pm) and Innocence #3 (22 September; 1pm; Chjimes Chapel) – feature equally odd items, including baby powder and eggs. Andree explores the idea of ‘white’ and what it lacks – with an intriguing concept and her reputation for the unexpected, we’re curious to see the end results. 

The Tunnel Party 
22 Sep; next to the Fort Canning Tunnel. 
Originally scheduled for last September, heightened security around the International Monetary Fund visit stopped it in its tracks. But it’s now safe to go ahead with this heady mixture of art, performance and social activism. With a flea-market atmosphere, the party will bring together creative organisations, like Music for Good (which promotes Singaporean music), and social groups, such as the Vegetarian Society. Along with the shopping, food and live entertainment, there will be the chance to share ideas. Anyone moved by anything from selfexpression to animal rights will be there. Familiar organisations like Migrant Voices are involved, as well as more obscure groups, like the experimental-music promoters Flux Us. Whether you share passion for a cause or not, this uncommon event is worthy of some curiosity. 

Small Talk 
25-30 Sep; The Substation Gallery. 
Check out the premiere of this work at SeptFest, before it moves on to NYC’s Museum of Modern Art. Two artists – a filmmaker and visual artist – located 12 hours apart from each other, have picked three pieces from the other’s body of work. In response to the works they’ve selected, each has had six months to produce a new piece of video art. One of them is Singaporean Victric Thng. In his video pieces, he indulges our perverse fascination for tales of unrequited love and regret. With a reputation for making cinematic poetry, he has received various awards for previous works, including the Gold Award at the MDA Digital Film Fiesta earlier this year for his short ‘The Mole’. His counterpart, Mauricio Alejo, lives and works in New York and Mexico City. His photographs and films put the objects we use every day into different spaces, turning the ordinary into something of interest and beauty. He’s exhibited in Europe, the US and South America. 
(Pictured top: local band Tiramisu, right, a scene from 'Closer Apart' in Small Talk).

The SeptFest runs from 1-30 Sep. For a schedule and ticket information, call The Substation at 6337 7535 or go to www.substation.org.