Abstract films and performances come to the seaside at the Whitstable Biennale

A haunting seven-minute black and white film is celebrated alongside puppets drinking carved-wood cocktails in the Whitstable Biennale.

Taking place for a sixth time, the festival focuses on film and performance art by Kent artists. Over three weekends, the town is taken over by indoor and outdoor events.

Running from Saturday, September 1, to Sunday, September 16, it kicks off with a series of films curated by hometown artist Jeremy Millar. Speak Near By is a group of new and classic artists’ films showing at the Horsebridge Gallery, considering intertwining themes of rituals, dream, dance and possession. These include Joachim Koester’s haunting black and white silent flick, Tarantism.

At the Scouts Hall on Acton Road is Hollow Moon, a collection of pieces by Tom Gidley put together especially for the festival. Combining performance, video and sculpture, dancers silently interpret his works on film. See it on Saturday and Sunday, September 1 and 2.

Later in the festival, 2012 Jarman Prize-nominated artist Benedict Drew presents a film installation at the Oyster Indoor Bowling Club on the harbour.

Benedict, who lives and works in Whitstable and Margate, uses an unlikely array of objects to explore our changing relationship with technology. He finds out in November whether he has won the Jarman Award, which has a £10,000 prize and an appearance on Channel 4’s short-form arts strand, Random Acts. See his Biennale piece on Sunday, September 9.

Artist Patrick Staff will build a series of stages around the harbour to host performances, workshops, and discussions. Community theatre group Banner Theatre will stage its latest production, Fighting The Cuts! at the Wesley Room, St John’s Hall, on Saturday, September 8.

Tanya Axford’s installation at the Whitstable Youth and Community Centre features a live orchestra that responds to the way visitors move around on Saturday and Sunday, September 15 and 16.

“The line-up for Whitstable Biennale 2012 is incredibly strong,” said director Sue Jones. “It’s amazing to be able to show artists who live on the doorstep but at the same time are internationally renowned.”

Whitstable Biennale takes place at various venues around the town from Saturday, September 1, to Sunday, September 16. Most events are free. Details on 01843 596194 or atwww.whitstablebiennale.com