The annual festival returns from 16 May to 1 June, featuring the largest showcase of homegrown talent and a diverse international lineup.
The Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA) 2025 is set to take place from 16 May to 1 June, under the theme “More Than Ever.” Organized by Arts House Limited (AHL) and commissioned by the National Arts Council (NAC), this year’s festival will highlight Singapore’s cultural vibrancy, artistic momentum, and bold vision for the future. As the country celebrates its 60th year of independence, SIFA 2025 will feature its largest-ever showcase of homegrown talent, presenting 15 commissioned works, the highest in the festival’s history. These include two works-in-progress that debuted at SIFA 2024.
Festival Director Natalie Hennedige unveiled this year’s curation at Fort Canning Centre, outlining six thematic strands that guide the programming: New Urban Realities, Classics Reinvented, History Reimagined, We, International, State of the Arts, and PRISM 48. These strands aim to create a diverse artistic experience, spanning theatre, dance, music, and visual arts, reflecting Singapore’s unique cultural landscape and its evolving global presence.
SIFA 2025 will introduce the SIFA Pavilion at Bedok Town Square, a temporary arts space that aims to bring multidisciplinary performances into the heart of the community. Designed as an accessible artistic hub, the Pavilion will host a series of performances and installations that merge visual art, music, and movement. One of the key highlights is “The Sea and the Neighbourhood,” a multidisciplinary work inspired by Bedok’s coastal heritage, featuring contributions from visual artist Wang Ruobing, composer Philip Tan, choreographer Christina Chan with Singapore Ballet, and video artist Brian Gothong Tan. The Pavilion will also feature an environmentally themed large-scale installation by Wang Ruobing, inspired by Singapore’s coral reefs and reef restoration efforts.
In addition to these immersive experiences, Little SIFA returns to Empress Lawn with a series of family-friendly performances spanning two weekends. This edition will introduce children and families to a range of artistic expressions, from theatre and puppetry to interactive installations. Highlights include “The House Between the Winds” by Yang Jie, a kinetic soundscape installation that recalls the plantations that once covered Orchard Road. Another exciting feature is a 30-minute adaptation of “Animal Farm” by The Finger Players, which will be performed both as a full theatrical presentation at SOTA Drama Theatre and as a free outdoor variation at Empress Lawn.
SIFA 2025 continues its dedication to nurturing local talent and providing Singaporean artists with an international platform. Among this year’s notable commissions is “Waiting for Audience” by Nine Years Theatre, an exploration of the enduring power of theatre directed by Nelson Chia and Mia Chee. Another standout piece is “COLONY – A True Colors Project”, directed by Remesh Panicker, which features dancers from across Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Japan in a production that blends live performance with unscripted rehearsal footage. “LEAR”, a new adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic by Glasgow-based Singaporean artist Ramesh Meyyappan, will transform the tragedy through visual and physical storytelling. Other key local productions include “Umbilical” by Rizman Putra, Zul Mahmod, and thesupersystem, an evocative piece that traces the island’s history from ancient times to a speculative future.
Beyond local talent, SIFA 2025 also embraces global perspectives by bringing internationally acclaimed performances to Singapore. “HOME” by Geoff Sobelle is a theatrical spectacle that explores the concept of home through illusion, choreography, and storytelling. Lebanese dancer and choreographer Ali Chahrour will present “Told By My Mother,” a deeply personal performance inspired by his family’s history and Lebanon’s complex social fabric. Chilean playwright Manuela Infante will introduce “Vampyr,” a mockumentary-style production that blends black humor with environmental commentary, set in Chile’s unregulated wind turbine parks and inspired by European vampire myths and local wildlife conservation issues.
SIFA 2025 will also feature PRISM 48, a curated conversation series led by writer, editor, and producer Hong Xinyi. Through panel discussions with cultural thinkers and advocates, this series will explore Singapore’s evolving artistic identity and its place in the global arts scene. Topics include “What Difference Can Singapore Storytelling Make?”, which examines how the performing arts can shape and reframe cultural narratives.
As Singapore continues to position itself as a key arts hub in Asia, NAC Chief Executive Officer Low Eng Teong emphasized the festival’s role in fostering international collaborations and increasing public engagement with the arts. Executive Director of Arts House Limited Sharon Tan added that SIFA 2025 aims to create “powerful shared moments of connection and reflection”, while making the arts more accessible through community-centered initiatives.
Early bird tickets for SIFA 2025, offering 20% savings, are available from 11 March to 14 April 2025. For more details, visit SIFA.sg.
