BK, what was it like studying for your Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry at the National University of Singapore (NUS)?

Chemistry was always fun and interesting because we got to spend time in the chemistry labs, which were always filled with strange smells and stuff that occasionally goes boom! More than anything else, it was a natural progression for me as I enjoyed studying science in my secondary school and junior college years.

How did you find yourself working at The Substation?

After graduation, I looked around for stable job options – I was a Financial Advisor for a month but quickly discovered that sales wasn’t my calling. I joined the Defence Science Technology Agency (DSTA) next, which was great. It had stable, fixed working hours, was pro-family and wasn’t too stressful. But somehow, I didn’t get a strong sense of job satisfaction and felt quite empty inside.

As I approached the end of my 3 month probation period at DSTA, I started looking out for other jobs and when I came across the ad for Programme Manager at The Substation, I jumped for it. It’s the best career making decision I’ve made so far.

What is The Substation all about?

The Substation is a home of the arts, and our mission is to support and nurture the arts by:

What’s your job like as a Programme Manager for Moving Images?

I run the film programmes here at The Substation, organising events such as the Singapore Indie Doc Fest (an independent documentary film festival), Singapore Short Films Festival, the Asian Film Symposium (a regional film festival) and First Take (the monthly free short film screenings that runs year round). Basically, I help organize screening opportunities for short films from upcoming local independent filmmakers.

Moving Images’ is essentially a platform for independent local and overseas films to be screened – giving the audience something new and refreshing from mainstream films screened in the cineplexes. We nurture emerging filmmakers by giving them a voice, learning opportunities, exposure and dialogue with peers. ‘Moving Images’ also actively connects Singapore films to international festivals and has become an important platform for local and Asian filmmakers to share their work and ideas. Filmmakers who have grown with us over the years include Royston Tan, Wee Li Lin, Tan Pin Pin, Sherman Ong, Tania Sng, just to name a few.

Have you always been passionate about film?

I’ve been a film buff for the longest time and enjoy watching different genres of film, but I’m most passionate about independent films. Having been involved in nuSTUDIOS (an NUS student film production house) for 4 years while I was still at uni, the experience gave me good exposure to many aspects of filmmaking.

	As Programme Manager, Beng Kheng organises ‘First Take’ – the screening of new local short films at The Substation every first Monday of each month. The screening is followed by a Q&A session with the filmmakers.

Looking back now, it was fantastic to be able to make new friends, learn new things outside of the classroom, having the freedom and time to get involved in new creative projects, and enrich myself with lots of hands-on stuff.

What are your dreams for the future?

I’d like to build the ‘Moving Images’ program even further and keep on introducing audiences to films from talented independent filmmakers.  

What’s your advice for young people?

Follow your passion and take the first step, you will never know if you can or will succeed in the field you love unless you try. By all means, think it over but don’t wait too long or the opportunity may be lost forever. You can always take it one step at a time to achieve your dreams - it’s all about building it up slow and steady.

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