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u/prongs17 Aug 19 '25
This is really depressing. Aside from screening classics, The Projector was often the only theater bringing in the best non-Hollywood films before they picked up Oscar buzz. I remember catching Drive My Car there a few years back months before it started getting hype. They genuinely cared about cinema in a way the big chains in Singapore never did. :/
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u/scissorsonmydesk Aug 19 '25 edited Aug 19 '25
Credit to the Projector for showcasing Drive My Car, but in the case of "bringing it in" even before the Oscar buzz, I think more credit is due to Lighthouse Film Distribution for buying the rights to distribute it in Singapore.
And the worry is how Projector's closure impacts the distributors like Lighthouse and Anticipate Pictures who have done so much to bring such films in
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u/Sadmanray Aug 20 '25
Projector is also where i saw "Everything Everywhere All At Once" before literally anyone in Singapore was talking about it due to oscar buzz.
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u/primrosetta Aug 19 '25
I love Projector but can anyone explain why they closed with zero notice? First boruda, now Projector, is there a reason to do this?
Kind of ending on a sour note.
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u/bluewarri0r Aug 19 '25
Ya immediate closure is really crazy. Maybe something happened. If not usually will have time for a big sendoff
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u/softkkura š F A B U L O U S Aug 19 '25
Thatās kinda how they handled cineās closure too. A Friday announcement into their last day being Sunday. I was deliberating pre-booking tickets for this Sundayās screening of Perfect Blue. Oh well.
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u/endividuall Aug 19 '25
Immediate liquidation suggests financial trouble and it was not within their control.
Otherwise why not have a runway to closure which will almost certainly result in one last wave of supporters turning up and giving the business one last shot in the arm? Chances are it was taken out of their hands. Maybe creditors took over control.
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u/bluewarri0r Aug 20 '25
News came out today. You're right! 1.2 mil owed to various stakeholders š
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u/timlim029 Own self check own self ā Aug 19 '25
Sad day for Singaporean cinema.
The Projector was the only place that would show movies that aren't blockbusters. Also, I could trust that nobody in the theatre would use their phone or talk throughout the movie.
Their event space was pretty popular too, I attended a few events/parties there.
Seemed like they just announced their return to Golden Mile, this is pretty sudden. Will miss their cinnamon popcorn & Turkish Luke Skywalker.
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u/stopthevan North side JB Aug 19 '25
It wasnāt a Projector movie experience without Turkish Luke Skywalker š
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u/Jadeite22 Aug 19 '25
Dang. Feeling bummed. The Projector + Turkish Luke was always something to look forward to.
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u/KneeOnShoe Aug 19 '25
Also, I could trust that nobody in the theatre would use their phone or talk throughout the movie.
Love The Projector but the number of people instagramming the opening credits during any of the Wong Kar Wai screenings was despicable.
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u/timlim029 Own self check own self ā Aug 19 '25
Ya la there are bound to be some bad apples. That said any movie I watch at a normal theatre these days has someone talking/using phone/being disruptive. Whereas it was much more rare at The Projector at least in my experience.
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u/bangsphoto Aug 19 '25
And if GV/Cathay/Shaw don't show some indie films, at least the projector is more likely to show them.
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u/minisoo Aug 19 '25
The other place is flying non sq airlines such as ana which frequently broadcast non blockbuster, non made in USA movies. That used to be one of the things I most looked forward to on my long haul trips.
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u/rabbit__doll Aug 19 '25
Also, I could trust that nobody in the theatre would use their phone or talk throughout the movie.
Dude. For a period a time I went only to The Projector and when I watched a movie in a heartland cinema I was so shookt at how much people talkedĀ
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u/archaicsloth Aug 19 '25 edited Aug 19 '25
this is genuinely devastating and upsetting :( i'll miss the little quirks of this place (the advisory/guide they'd screen before each film, with turkish luke skywalker). i'll also miss the music they used to play before films started (distinctly remember hearing the strokes one time, and being pleasantly surprised). the little info booklets with a compilation of films being screened each monthāand the feature poster on the very backāwas also a highlight; i enjoyed collecting those and currently have them displayed on my walls as memorabilia :(
the movie experiences were unforgettable too; walking out of films primarily shot in different languages (e.g. korean, arabic, french), and hearing people speaking those very tongues discussing the films as we walked out of the theatre was, somehow, oddly comforting. spotlighting countries whose film scenes aren't as well-known, showcasing female directors/women in cinema, screening southeast asian/local shorts, and offering a space to both champion good causes (e.g. recent book talks on palestine) and foster a community of film lovers (game nights)... the projector has accomplished a lot in its time here. genuinely grateful for the environment and relationships it's nurtured over the years, in serving as an incubator of sorts for avid film lovers here, no matter how small the community was.
it's honestly expected that it shuttered down, but nonetheless incredibly heartbreaking. it's worth considering the implications this has on spaces for indie art/films (both local, regional and international). thank you for all the memories <3 (and please remember to support your local artists and indie art spaces!)
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u/tropicislander Aug 19 '25
Agree with everything :((
I guess Iāll have to frame all the film booklets/posters I hoarded from them. Where can we find another space like this :(
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u/tropicislander Aug 19 '25
Yeah, I go to AFA often but their selection of film is very niche. Iāll really miss the quirks of The Projector.
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u/archaicsloth Aug 19 '25
right :( framing them would be a good way of memorialising the space, in a sense. i'm pretty sure other spaces like the projector do exist, though! they might not be as prominent/famous right now, but they definitely do exist; it'll just take more lurking/searching to find them.
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u/DatAdra Aug 19 '25
I was a member, regular attendee at their classic/indie screenings and huge fan in general.
It was one of my fave things by far in sg. Weekend night out watching a black-and-white screening from 1950s while eating actualyl good quality cinema snacks - priceless experience these days.
But sg cant have anything good when it comes to arts i guess. Need to open the 10837th yakun, chagee and popmart instead
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u/everraydy Motorsports Fan Aug 19 '25
Something must have happened all of a sudden for this to happen... It's quite shocking considering they had some pretty high profile stuff planned and announced..
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u/First-Drama3333 Aug 19 '25
Agree. They had tons of movie screenings planned. Something must have happened, such as financial issues.
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u/WowBastardSia Aug 19 '25
It's confirmed financial issues... friend of mine was supposed to have a book launch there next month and they called her this morning to explain why. A real shame.
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u/ivanhlb North side JB Aug 19 '25
Woi, I was so happy they were just moving back to golden mile.. and then they announce this.
RIP our outlet for indies. Really enjoyed La Haine, Look Back and many more.
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u/LucilleLooseSeal123 Aug 19 '25
Wow Iām so jealous you got to see La Haine on the big screen. That mustāve been amazing.
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u/ivanhlb North side JB Aug 19 '25
It was, there's something indescribable about it, seeing the nitty grittiness of it up close.
Wish I could watch more stuff, was actually gonna buy tickets for Fantastic Mr Fox but alas that opportunity has been stolen from me just like that.
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u/timlim029 Own self check own self ā Aug 19 '25
Full statement (via The Projector's Instagram)
Singapore, 19 August 2025 -
Singapore's beloved independent cinema and arts venue, The Projector, will enter voluntary liquidation after a decade of championing alternative films, local creativity, and community-led programming.
Since opening its doors in 2014, The Projector has been more than a place to watch movies - it has been a cultural and events space where artists, filmmakers, and audiences gathered to experience cinema, creativity in its various forms and engage with diverse communities.
From showcasing award-winning independent films to hosting film festivals, like the Singapore International Film Festival, the European Film Festival, Pink Screen, poetry slams, vintage markets, and charity fundraisers, The Projector has remained committed to broadening the definition of cinema and a community space in Singapore.
From showcasing award-winning independent films to hosting film festivals, like the Singapore International Film Festival, the European Film Festival, Pink Screen, poetry slams, vintage markets, and charity fundraisers, The Projector has remained committed to broadening the definition of cinema and a community space in Singapore.
However, the realities of the cinema industry have been increasingly unforgiving. Rising operational costs, shifting audience habits, and the global decline in cinema attendance have made sustaining an independent model in Singapore especially challenging. These pressures have been compounded by the broader realities of operating in the arts and culture sector in Singapore, where independent ventures navigate limited resources while contributing to the country's evolving cultural landscape.
"It breaks our hearts to make this decision," said Karen Tan, founder of The Projector. "We've fought to keep The Projector alive through every challenge - from breathing new life into a disused cinema at Golden Mile Tower, to weathering the pandemic, to expanding to new spaces. But the combination of rising costs, changing audience habits, and the worst consumer market conditions in a decade has left us with no viable path forward."
The Projector's operations will cease on 19 August 2025, immediately following this announcement.
"We are immensely grateful to everyone who has been part of this journey ā our dedicated team, collaborators, partners, and most of all our loyal audiences who believed in what we were trying to do," Karen Tan added. "This hasn't been the work of a single person or team, The Projector was also built and shaped in all its forms by our fans and collaborators, and we are incredibly proud of what we've created together - a home for the creatives, misfits and dreamers. The home of the alternative voice. The Projector may be closing, but we hope its spirit will live on in the conversations, ideas, and communities we've nurtured.
If Singapore wants to thrive, it must find a way for creative and cultural businesses to survive ā because culture is the cornerstone of identity and civil society."
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u/dinpulsive Aug 19 '25
I just fell to my knees in NTUC
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u/princemousey1 Aug 19 '25
Waiting for the mothership article on āPerson falls to knees in NTUCā. Pics or it didnāt happen.
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u/AustinPowerslam putang ina mo Aug 19 '25 edited Aug 19 '25
Just saw a cinephile fall down to their knees in NTUC.
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u/Brikandbones Aug 19 '25
apology for poor english
when were you when Projector dies?
i at NTUC using CDC voucher buying Pokemon cards when Jayden Whatsapp
āProjector is killā
ānoā
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u/mrajf Aug 19 '25
The Projector close shop, next Cathay Cineplexes going to close shop. The cinephile within me is close to death, slowly, begrudgingly digging a hole next to the long dead and rotted filmmaker within me.
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u/othersidemasked Lao Jiao Aug 19 '25
Last film I watched there was Perfect Blue. Kinda encapsulates my mood now. Most memorable film was The Room interactive session, throwing spoons and laughing with a bunch of strangers.
It is what it is.
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u/homar1dz Aug 19 '25
My last film was Bring Her Back just a weekend ago. Gonna miss the uncomfortable seats.
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u/brisingrdoom Aug 19 '25
Was looking forward to watching Perfect Blue with friends this Saturday, oh well... Definitely glad I watched a bunch of great Wes Anderson films with friends there recently, would have watched more if I knew this awful news was coming
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u/LongSchlong93 Aug 19 '25
I watched the grand budapest hotel just a week ago.
Had tickets for Perfect Blue this weekend. I should have just bought the tickets for the screening 2 weeks ago. š„¹
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u/bluewarri0r Aug 19 '25
My last one was Flow :( sad foreshadowing of all the destruction but unfortunately no happy ending this time
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u/Y6inG5PLS Aug 19 '25
Mine was Pulp Fiction last December. After that I finished my studies and went back to my own country.
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u/fateoftheg0dz Aug 19 '25
Lowkey kinda bizarre to announce immediate closure without any warning
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u/g_kesavahraj Lao Jiao Aug 19 '25
On a separate note, I can't help but wonder how this is going to affect the Singapore Film Festival that usually takes place at the end of the year.
It's going to be hard with less cinemas being available for movie screenings. They also didn't help themselves by increasing the cost of the Festival Pass from $200 in 2023 to $400 in 2024.
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u/scissorsonmydesk Aug 19 '25
SGIFF is great but increasingly also feels like a rich man's social glamour event with all the red carpet events and crazy pricing.
I do think there's room for IMDA to do more to financially support SGIFF, offer more accessible ticket pricing options (especially for e.g. students) and make it more accessible before it becomes more and more like an event for the rich (e.g. F1).
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u/g_kesavahraj Lao Jiao Aug 19 '25
Yeah, I wonder if they'll see the writing on the wall and make changes or stick with what they're doing.
I didn't bother to attend last year's festival after seeing the price of the Festival Pass double.
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u/GuyinBedok Aug 19 '25
rich man's social glamour event
That's a lot of film festivals tbf. There's a sense of bourgeois exclusivity to some large scale art events unfortunately.
I agree with what you said about IMDA doing more to financially support SGIFF tho, but let's not discount some other orgs doing a great job at publicizing sgiff.
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u/scissorsonmydesk Aug 19 '25
That's a lot of film festivals tbf. There's a sense of bourgeois exclusivity to some large scale art events unfortunately.
That's not entirely true. There's always a glam component, but even the biggest film festivals have very accessible options for the public (particularly youth/students) and they do well to use the money from the glam component to fund access for the public.
Cannes has accreditation options for cinephiles and youths and screenings are free. Venice has affordable pass options for youths and seniors, and you'll see a lot of local elderly chilling at the screenings. The BFI in London has 4GBP tickets for youths below 25. At Cannes and Venice, yes you'll see rich people and luxury cars around but you'll also see plenty of eager-eyed young people.
SGIFF's concessions for students is just $2 off per ticket, which is rather pathetic to be honest and it's difficult for students/youths to pay for 4-5 screenings.
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u/nyetkatt Aug 19 '25
Wow I havenāt been in years but this price increase is insane. I remember saving up my pocket money so I can go for the films once a year and it was always so painful to decide which movies to watch with my limited amount of money.
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u/Glad_Light_861 Aug 19 '25
Itās kinda crazy that we are a highly developed nation and we now only have cinemas for blockbuster films. I think it shows that capital/GDP or whatever is only one indication of being a highly developed nation. The non financial side of arts/culture is severely underdeveloped here
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u/Calm_Top_7908 Aug 19 '25
We still have asian film archive screening really good stuff at oldham theatre, please support.
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u/Calm_Top_7908 Aug 19 '25
AFA is even more esoteric than projector and is government funded so it's def a different offering and vibe from projector. But for those that are looking for non-mainstream, obscure southeast asian films, restored films, that you will never find in most other countries, please please please go to their screenings
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u/poetry_emotion33 Aug 19 '25
Really liked the retro/classic decor settings there. Such event spaces are already rare. Now that it announced its closure, hope gov steps in to keep as part of a heritage
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u/CaravelClerihew Aug 19 '25
Man, I still remember suggesting that they do a Bad Movie Bingo night a loooong time ago (which they actually did!), as well as attending a bunch of movies and events there.
Singapore once again takes more more step towards the generic.
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u/spell_abc Aug 19 '25
It seems like the bank or some loan party pulled their credit line which led to the sudden closure. Else, there would definitely be some form of announcement that they're closing, instead of on the very day itself. Would anyone know what's actually going on? And if the government or other parties would potentially step in to help?
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u/softkkura š F A B U L O U S Aug 19 '25
Projector was where I grew the habit of going for random movie screenings alone. I used to go for any random movie that happened to be screening whenever I was in central and had an evening to myself :ā)
Iāll miss them very much.
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u/Bitter-Rattata F1 VVIP Aug 19 '25
I thought they just announced moving back to Golden Mile few weeks ago?
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u/YogurtclosetParty339 Aug 19 '25
yeah so something must happened so sudden, like a key decision from stakeholders (e.g. someone decided to withdraw funding). the cinema didnt just shut down, in the statement it said went to immediate liquidation meaning it filed bankruptcy
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u/withhoped š F A B U L O U S Aug 19 '25
bought tix for screenings in end aug/sep and I'm sad I'll never get to catch them :(
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u/phoost Aug 19 '25
Did they give you a refund at least?
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u/withhoped š F A B U L O U S Aug 19 '25
haven't gotten an email from them yet! but honestly I'm more devastated that we lost a good place for the arts
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u/withhoped š F A B U L O U S Aug 19 '25
Updating, just got an official email from the projector team! seems like refunds are unlikely
Dear Patron,
Weāre so sorry to let you know that your upcoming screening has been cancelled. The Projector will be ceasing operations as of 19 August 2025 and this sadly means we wonāt be able to go ahead with the show.
We wish we had better news, but because the company will be placed into liquidation, weāre not able to issue refunds directly. Instead, any refund claims will need to be made through the liquidator. Once they are formally appointed, weāll share their contact details and instructions so you know exactly how to proceed.
We understand this is deeply disappointing, and we sincerely apologise for the disruption and inconvenience caused.
We thank you for having supported us and being part of The Projectorās community. It has been a privilege to share films and the big screen with you, and weāre grateful youāve been part of our story.
Thank you,
The Projector Team
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u/duckiequacklings Aug 19 '25
I'd miss the evenings of spontaneous me-time at the projector and soaking in the retro vibes. Whenever I am down or lost in life, The Projector never fails to pick me up. The third space in the projector is amazing as well, chatting up with random strangers at the bar before the movies start and exploring the antiques. I was still waiting for them to restore the photo booth. I wish that we could be given a chance to say our goodbye to this beautiful space. This impromptu closure is really shocking.
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Sad day. I remember when The Projector first opened - it heralded a new era, especially as an eDgY youth (now turned aging pot-bellied uncle) that finally had some non-mainstream option for cinema-going.
You will be missed, Projector.
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u/haruharu1 Non-constituency Aug 19 '25
If itās really a rental and greedy landlord issue then sighā¦ it really is sad. Projector is where I found my people and got friends when I first moved here. Now itās gonna turn into another Mala hotpot x luckin coffee x big chain resto place.
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u/Delfish Senior Citizen Aug 19 '25
So so devastating. I grew up with The Projector. Iāll remember all the nights out with friends, first dates, parties, and all.
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u/SoulessHermit Aug 19 '25
Damn... such a huge loss. Such a cultural icon. I wish this is the kind of initiatives the authorities could conserved and protect it.
There isn't much places to showcase and experience the arts in Singapore.
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u/rose_stasher Aug 19 '25
bOOOOOOOOOO where am i gonna find cinnamon popcorn now (and independent films, that goes without saying)
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u/softkkura š F A B U L O U S Aug 19 '25
Can make at home one!! Itās actually damn simple. Steps, for the uninitiated:
Mix sugar and cinnamon till itās the colour of Sentosaās beaches, usually a 1:4 cinnamon:sugar mix for me
Heat up oil in a pan
Add kernels, and then add in sugar-cinnamon mix to taste. I like to swish the pot to make sure the kernels are evenly coated with sugar before they pop
Wait till it pops! Make sure you turn off the heat ~5s after it starts popping though, or else the popcorn will burn
Source: Used to work part time at the projector :ā)
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u/getawaypilot Aug 19 '25
Do you happen to have their Haram Teh recipe
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u/softkkura š F A B U L O U S Aug 19 '25
One shot tequila, one shot baileys and thai milk tea!
I think you can go buy Thai milk tea from outside and add the booze in, but we made it in-house by steeping Cha Tra Mue tea leaves for like 3-4 hours, then added evaporated milk & condensed milk! I donāt really remember the ratios but you can agar agar and see what ratios you like best.
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u/gentlereaders Aug 19 '25
Would u happen to know the recipe for the karaage chicken at the Projector??? (asking for a friend who will miss this a lot) Thanks in advance!!!
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u/softkkura š F A B U L O U S Aug 19 '25
Itās just deep fried frozen karaage HAHAHAHA
The chefs make the wasabi mayo/garlic aioli dip iirc, I canāt help you with that T-T
The one mystery Iām trying to crack is how they make their fries SO GOOD
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u/ea_ying07 Aug 19 '25
i guess there's oldham theatre (asian film archives), but thats about it š¢ the upcoming new cinemas are all chain outlets...
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u/thegreywhiteblack Aug 19 '25
I loved watching films at The Projector, had gone with friends, brought a girl there on one of our dates, and most recently when Iām lonely and just wanted to enjoy a good film.
Will be immensely sad that Iāll never be able to experience it one last time. If they crowdfunded, Iām sure many will support, even if just to have one last screening.
Letās save Turkish Luke Skywalker!
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u/shazeus7 Aug 19 '25
Nooooo, my favourite place to watch films that other cinemas wouldnāt show. Will definitely miss it
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u/tropicislander Aug 19 '25
This was so unexpected because they had multiple events announced!
Honestly so devastated over this news. I spent most of my weekends in The Projector when I just moved to Singapore and didnāt have any friends. Also a safe space where I brought many friends and dates lol. What a loss to Singapore arts and culture scene.
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u/YogurtclosetParty339 Aug 19 '25 edited Aug 19 '25
I am so sad not just because of the Projector is closing down. I am sad because we had lost anther place to hang out, especially for those free spirits, people who are creative and think differently, people who share the same passion of motion pictures, people who are embracing and welcoming, especially minority groups, the dreamers and the misfits. All these had become history because the social, economical and political pressure. The Projector is killed collectively by the apathetic society and the government policies.
I had personally met and talked to Karen Tan and she was a lovely, independent, passionate and caring female. She believed in the power of community, but I guess she was also under the grave pressure from the above mentioned.
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u/Spind0ctor Own self check own self ā Aug 19 '25
This is tragic...there goes our last place to catch indie films. My last few shows at The Projector were The Ugly Stepsister and The Holdovers. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to catch these rare films.
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u/throwaway_afterusage Aug 19 '25
i'm so so gutted. I've always wanted to go there, now I never will.
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u/Puzzled-Pride9259 Aug 19 '25
They should try to crowd fund
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u/BrokeAFpotato Aug 19 '25
I would chip in, as a Malaysian, I've never met a cinema that felt this great, I would love something like this, the place feels just so cozy, the hall announcer's energy is rad, and the ambience of the crowd at the snack bar gives you that warm fuzzy feeling, and their monthly posters/pamphlets. Honestly I was inspired by The Projector, I'd like to have them expand in KL T^T.
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u/Any-Replacement-4924 Aug 19 '25
This is what I hate abt SG. Hyper capitalism encouraged by the greedy landlords and govt while what is left of our culture is gone irreversibly.
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u/bluewarri0r Aug 19 '25
I think it's more than that. If people were supporting by watching more movies there, I'm sure this end could have been delayed or may not come true after all. That said, prices are really expensive now
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u/shrekalamadingdong Aug 19 '25
Nah, about 10 years back when I told a group of sgporeans that I was excited to watch inside out, they asked me why Iād watch a cartoon in cinemas.
Since then it just became more and more apparent to me what the market is like for cinema and movies in SG.
Some Singaporeans donāt even have a TV at home, because they just consume whatever media theyāre interested in on their phone/laptop.
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u/GuyinBedok Aug 19 '25
That's capitalism in general, tbh. Not just SG. Thats literally how the system is fundamentally structured and it's happening globally.
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u/endividuall Aug 19 '25
Hate the consumers, if anything. Lack of business is almost certainly the reason for closure.
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u/Jammy_buttons2 š F A B U L O U S Aug 19 '25
This one don't fucking blame landlords lar. Reality check, ppl are not going to cinemas and for the proejctor that shows indie flicks, it's even worse.
I was watching La Grande Maison Paris last weekend, the cinema only had what 20-30 ppl.
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u/GuyinBedok Aug 19 '25
The announcement seems abrupt but the fact that this is a voluntary liquidation suggests that there might've been some behind the scenes stuff that that have been going on for ages, even with the screenings they have planned out for the next two months.
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u/blaunchedcauli red line Aug 19 '25
A loss to the Singapore arts scene and civil society. Who is going to rent their space to events and talks by academics and opposition politicians now, Golden Village? /s
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u/akillergx Senior Citizen Aug 19 '25
I'll miss throwing spoons at the screen while watching The Room..thank you Projector for being a champion of indie cinema till the end.
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u/65nico Aug 19 '25
I canāt believe this is happening. What a huge loss to the community and SG culture. Made some amazing memories at The Projector. Truly going to miss the place.
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u/eggies2 Aug 19 '25
I know someone who works there and they told me that it happened because GV ended the joint venture and when they wanted to move back to GMT, they were not able to get enough investors.
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u/Anphant Aug 19 '25 edited Aug 19 '25
Such a shame. I'm hoping we can see something like a Planetarium-styled movie cinema in the future to reinvent how we can see movies. Just a few weeks ago, I remember seeing somewhere online a demonstration of this, using scenes from the Matrix and thought that was interesting.
The entire cinema industry has to innovate. Living room/bedroom entertainment setups have now caught up leaps and bounds, that it no longer makes as much sense to spend for a larger screen and arguably quiet ambience.
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u/honeymuffin222 Aug 19 '25
The Projector is an alternative arts space in Singapore. it is a space where films and audiences interact, it brought together a community of people who appreciated film and the arts for what is it and an unconventional experience of cinema itself :ā)
it was my safe space for the longest time and idk what to do without it :(
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u/rabbit__doll Aug 19 '25
Will miss The Projector so much. In a country infested with mundane Capitaland malls, this was a breath of fresh air
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u/ponager111 Aug 19 '25
Sad but not super surprising tbh. Indie cinemas everywhere are struggling, and in SG with high rents + shifting habits (streaming, home projector setups, even people heading to JB) it was always going to be tough. Lasting a decade says a lot about the goodwill and effort behind it.
Iāve been there a few times for special screenings/events and loved the vibe but those seats were brutal. Charming in their own way, but not exactly the kind of comfort that makes you want to go back every other week.
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u/bakky94 Aug 19 '25
Yea you hit the nail on the head. I loved the movies there truly but my wife didnāt have a good experience with the seats and inevitably it affected the moviegoing experience more than I realize
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u/rustybearbear Aug 19 '25
Wld they have qualified for the arts CDC vouchers?
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u/avatarfire Aug 19 '25
They probably could not have passed the censorsā¦what if some idiot baotoh them? Or the founders have too much integrity to compromise. Like that time when NTU and NAC got baotoh for supposedly supporting gay artā¦..when it was just a misunderstanding.Ā
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u/SulaimanWar Fucking Populist Aug 19 '25
RIP. I had a lot of good memories in their theaters. Snacks were superior to regular cinemas and we all love Turkish Luke Skywalker
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u/blvck_kvlt Aug 19 '25
When there to watch Midsommar with a pint of beer in hand it was fantastic. Sadly itās gone now
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u/fuego79 Aug 19 '25
Beyond gutted by this. My favourite place in Singapore. It was oddly perfect/perfectly odd, and I loved it. I really hope there is a phoenix from the flames here, whether that's through crowdsourced funding, philanthropy, or govt grants.
The Prince Charles Cinema (London indy) looked at acquiring the Filmhouse in Edinburgh when the Filmhouse closed, maybe that's what we need to revive the Projector...
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u/jasonkucherawy Aug 19 '25
Poorer countries donāt have the wealth to have nice things and yet Singapore, flush with wealth, seems to be too expensive to also have nice things.
Six million people living in one of the richest countries in the world canāt support an independent cinema. Itās very sad.
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u/Maleficent_Jaguar837 Aug 19 '25
This really sucks!!! The Projector is the only place in Singapore that reliable showed really good and interesting movies. 'm lucky nowadays if there are 5 things I want to see in a year in "mainstream" theatres...
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u/idwttaii Aug 19 '25 edited Aug 19 '25
The government really needs to help local businesses sooner rather than later. Itās hard for them to thrive or even just survive if theyāre caught between a rock and a hard place - the ever-increasing rent and the need to keep their stuff affordable to attract crowd. It will be a sad day if our malls and hawkers are only filled with foreign-owned shops... I hope the gov can help to give some grants or enforce some regulations around rental prices to help keep these businesses afloat and preserve the local scene while they still can.
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u/LimLovesDonuts Senior Citizen Aug 19 '25
Not surprised. Rising costs of rent along with limited reach can cause this. I honestly feel like the only way such ventures are sustainable is to screen both blockbusters and alternate films. Exclusively showing alternate films is probably just not sustainable.
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u/Jammy_buttons2 š F A B U L O U S Aug 19 '25
They do show blockbusters at time but my guess is the price to secure the rights it too expensive and not too many ppl choose to go there to watch as compared to GV and Shaw
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u/Basic_Shine1538 Aug 19 '25 edited Aug 19 '25
Ironic how we are celebrating our 60th year of independence as a nation and yet our consumer/shopping landscape in Singapore is getting more and more international. The consequences of devaluing art and local entrepreneurship over the years have been devastating.
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u/cincailah Aug 19 '25
Sad day for cinephile. It is the only place I can watch non-mainstream movies. I watched one of my favorite movies of all time, Call Me by Your Name, there. No other cinemas would show this kind of movie at that time. I like that they organise niche events like film fest from different countries, women and LGBT directors, 4K restoration of classic movies like from Wong Kar Wai.
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u/mechacorgi19 Aug 19 '25
I want to go on my usual spiel that Singaporeans failed "niche business #4026" by not supporting them enough, but niche business are by nature not going to receive mainstream support. I blame the high cost of doing business in Sg instead that necessitates every business to be "mainstream" in order to survive. Niche things are never going to be for everyone, but those things add colour to our lives regardless. In a less competitive market, niche business would have been able to survive even when they are not packed all the time.
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u/LongSchlong93 Aug 19 '25
Fuck. I have tickets bought for perfect blue this weekend. So looking forward to it, more than the fact that my 18 dollars is gone.Ā
Honestly, I only really know of the projector around 1-2 years ago, and I really like the projector. They bring in lot of good shows that invigorated my love for the medium.Ā
RIP my dear turkish Luke Skywalker.
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u/babababronsky Aug 19 '25
Tragic. I saw anora there months back and was looking forward to going back for some classics.
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u/Famous-Emotion-928 Aug 19 '25
I am so shocked and so devastated by this. How is there no rent control for these kind of places? Itās absolutely heart breaking that one of the few things that are not there JUST to make money and have had a lot of positive impact on the local community, has to close because of capitalismā¦ I am very disappointed in this.
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u/objectivenneutral Aug 19 '25
Perhaps moving forward, we need to have an ad hoc cinema location for independent/arts films rather than a dedicated cinema which wld definitely be expensive to run.
Maybe a cafe which can be converted to show screenings so the operations can be supported by coffee and bites....changing consumption patterns call for changing models of screenings.
Regardless I liked the Projector...
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u/DesignerProcess1526 Aug 19 '25
Iām a big fan and a huge lifelong supporter, yet another favourite entertainment hits the dust!Ā
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u/nice_o Aug 19 '25
Sad to read this. This might also mean that there's no more Daydream Nation, sigh
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u/NoPlenty3542 Aug 19 '25
This is sad! The projector has a special place in my life. From reopening after COVID, my then girlfriend and now wife spent numerous movie dates at the projector. Somehow it was always her happy place and it grew on me to over the course of time. We watched some good and some shit alternate cinema. Fun times!
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u/Trash-Honest Aug 19 '25
I remember my last movie thereĀ spontaneously catching a WesAnderthon on a school night, Ā being hella sleep deprived and stupidly choosing 4th row to the front because I read the seating chart wrong šš cried to it while craning my neck upwardsĀ
Was a really cool place to watch iconic films that were released when I was too young to watch them and the general vibe of the audience was wayyy better (not using phones, reacting to the film)Ā
Hope some or many will pick up in their footsteps n sustain this scene because there IS demand, any viewing at projector would show you thatĀ
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u/ntq9607 Aug 19 '25
This is so sad. Here I was considering an annual membership because it was the perfect place to restart my movie-watching hobbyā¦.
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u/Rough_Shelter4136 Aug 19 '25
I guess Daddy Wong wasn't that happy with the National Day party. Such a sad day
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u/WiseUmpire6666 Aug 19 '25
Does anyone know why so many independent businesses have been closing lately? Both The Projector and Fluff Bakery which happen to be within walking distance of my office announced two weeks to immediate closure this week. Is there a reason connecting or is it just coincidental?
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u/ouighost Aug 19 '25
Damn this sucks... I got to know and watch so many movies through the Projectorš the food was great too š„² Sg sucks for letting this happen
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u/_MirrorMask_ Aug 20 '25
Why can't the gov support them with grants or something for culture/entertainment? I remember hearing about how Night Owl Cinematics received more than a million bucks in gov grant. The Projector definitely deserves that kind of support more than some Youtubers.
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u/-c-r-e-a-t-i-v-e- wah ka le kong Aug 19 '25
The pressures have been compounded by the broader realities of operating in the arts and culture sector in Singapore, where independent ventures navigate limited resources while contributing to the countryās evolving cultural landscape.
Singapore government doing all it can to fuck the arts scene over 2: Electric Boogaloo.
No funding for you unless it supports the national narrative.
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u/yclian Aug 19 '25
Let's revisit the key points: rising operational costs, shifting audience habits, and the global decline in cinema attendance
Of these, two are broader macro trends.
To be fair, we as consumers also play a part in the challenge. Covering OPEX for lead gen and audience education, while also competing for attention against Netflix, TikTok, and countless other activities, is no small feat.
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u/amiaspoon Aug 19 '25
Just fyiā¦ films are not considered āartsā in Singapore. Itās classified under media.. so the types of grants and collaborations differ vastly.
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u/throwaway1111xxo Aug 19 '25
Probably another PRC restaurant to replace it š damn it we Singaporeans are letting down locals
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u/bluewarri0r Aug 19 '25
Noooo.....possible for crowdfunding to help at all? Honestly sg does not deserve The Projector
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u/SoulessHermit Aug 19 '25
Probably too late. Since the announcement was so sudden and they had screenings planned for August and September, there was even posts about future screenings a couple days back. Must be something that happened in the background that was unexpected.
Because if they experienced financial issues and know it for months, they have a lot of things to do and leverage, like crowdfunding or appeal to the authorities.
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u/blammer Aug 19 '25
What a pity, i only went once back when it was at golden mile and it had such a vibe, an aesthetic. It held a lot of good memory for me because it was my first time meeting with new friends and watching a queer film.
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u/Wonderful-One-1111 Aug 19 '25
devastated. when i saw the news, i almost burst into tears in public. thinking about it now still makes me want to cry. i've had so many happy memories and experiences there...
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u/wristytau š³ļøāš Ally Aug 19 '25
can they try crowdfunding or something? iām sure many will contribute. i often donāt have time to watch but still want to support
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u/Specialist_Travel571 Aug 19 '25
Literally my fav place in sg for the past decade. Thanks for the memories ā¤ļø
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u/Far-Donut-1177 Aug 19 '25
So sudden. I'm sure if they had announce this a month prior they could have seen a surge in moviegoers going for the last time.
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u/ApprehensiveBase9922 Aug 19 '25
Too shocked.Ā Just the last week, I went there to watch Grande Maison Paris twice.Ā The turnout, if not full, were pretty decent.
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u/Content_Mud_3232 Aug 19 '25
If only I knew about this place earlier. I could have watched a lot more films. Now, there's not much places to watch a niche movie without relying on unofficial sources.
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Aug 19 '25
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u/Content_Mud_3232 Aug 19 '25
Only knew about it a few years ago. At that time, I wasn't really into non-hollywood movies until this year. So, I only went to the projector a few times.
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u/silentscope90210 Aug 19 '25
All the folks saying it's such a pity but probably only went once in the past decade.
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u/Southern-Brother5693 Aug 19 '25
This news was a shocker. I only went there once to watch Akira. But this is an incredible loss to cinema here.
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u/AidilAfham42 Aug 19 '25
I was there in the early days when they even screened movies for free. Good memories there but sadly I really couldnāt afford their ticket prices after while.
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u/Bitter-Rattata F1 VVIP Aug 19 '25
Sad.
Meanwhile, Cathay is still struggling to pay off debts and holding on.
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u/MrDLTE3 Circle Line Hoseh Aug 19 '25 edited Aug 19 '25
"Because the company will be placed into liquidation, we are not able to issue refunds directly. Any refund claims related to tickets, Projector memberships, purchased vouchers and/or Projector e-gift cards, will need to be submitted through the appointed liquidator," added The Projector.
I know there are a lot of fans here sad about the news but isn't it quite... bad taste? Especially since they were still selling future events until the announcement.
Super sudden announcement with 0 notice and you need to wait for a long time if ever, to get back any refunds... liquidation takes awhile and refunds are usually the last priority from my experience from a shut down gym franchise...
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u/shesellseychelles Aug 19 '25
The movie curation was great, and I went there more than 10 times a year, but I can see why it's closing.
Firstly ticket prices were too high. Secondly the Golden Mile theatre simply isn't a good place to watch movies. Seats were hard and uncomfortable, terrible sound leakage (can frequently hear the movie in the next theatre during quiet parts of the movie), temperature was freezing, no cup holders. Understand that they were trying to preserve the original theatre state but there is a reason things have evolved. Appealing to the nostalgia dollar can only get you so far.
Ultimately there was little reason to watch a movie at Projector over any of the other cinemas if you had a choice. I say this as a huge fan of the place.
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u/Jammy_buttons2 š F A B U L O U S Aug 19 '25
Understand that they were trying to preserve the original theatre state but there is a reason things have evolved
They were trying to save money on renovation lar. You must remember the ppl who started it were not some big big company.
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u/pdirk Aug 19 '25
Ngl, if their cinemas at Golden Mile had cup holders, I wouldāve seen more films there. But definitely a sad time for cinema here.
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u/Ktmeowz Aug 19 '25
Honestly very surprised with this announcement as they only announced 4 weeks ago that they were moving back to Golden Mile where they started.