You might have felt a great disturbance in Singapore’s arts scene recently. The beloved independent cinema The Projector closed its doors on 19 August, taking a decade’s worth of cultural and cinematic memories—and, yes, even Turkish Luke Skywalker—with it.
The outpouring of love and grief on social media was immediate and genuine. Filmmaker Kirsten Tan was among the Singaporean arts and culture figures expressing their heartbreak. The New York-based creative’s connection to the cinema was deeply personal, with her films bookending their decade-long tenure—her short film Dahdi was The Projector’s first ever screening in 2014, and the Sundance Award-winning Pop Aye was screened to mark their tenth anniversary in 2024. “In a city obsessed with safe bets and homogeneity, you carved out joy and irreverence… you showed me as a filmmaker what it feels like to have a ‘home crowd’, to feel soothed by people seeing me seeing them,” Tan wrote on Instagram.
The Projector cited “rising operational costs, shifting audience habits, and the global decline in cinema attendance” as contributing factors to their liquidation, but the exact reasons behind the seemingly sudden decision remain unclear. Members and ticket holders were informed that refund requests would be processed by the liquidators, and The Straits Times reported that even local film distributors were unaware that the announcement was coming.
It was an abrupt end, with operations ceasing as soon as the liquidation announcement was made. A few fans rushed to the Golden Mile venue for last looks, collecting posters and bar menus handed out by staff; there was also a final teary sendoff celebration a few days later, with regulars, media figures, and the founders in attendance. But ultimately, the end of the cultural anchor was not a drawn out process. It seemed that one of the strongest bastions of Singapore’s indie arts scene was to go out without a bang, in the blink of an eye.
Much can be said about the difficulty of operating independently in Singapore’s arts landscape, but as mentioned in The Projector’s final message, global trends are also increasingly relevant. We can see a similar fight taking place the world over. The longstanding partnership between Warner Bros. and Christopher Nolan fell apart over the studio’s decision to premiere their films on HBO Max alongside theatrical releases, which Nolan could not abide by. Similarly, the directors of streaming hit Stranger Things recently exited Netflix for Paramount Pictures, reportedly due to the latter studio’s willingness to bring their films to the big screen. For indie ventures the size of The Projector, the fight to keep physical theatres relevant—or simply open—can seem insurmountable, especially when Hollywood juggernauts have to put their full weight into landing convincing blows.
The Projector was, above all else, stubborn—surviving the pandemic was a feat in itself. In hindsight, its ability to persist in a manicured media landscape for ten years was something of a miracle. As we mourn its loss, let us find the silver lining in the resilience and creativity of the community it left behind.
If you’re looking to fill the Projector-shaped hole in your heart, read on for a list of the boldly authentic indie spaces keeping Singapore’s creative scene alive.
New Bahru
A trip to New Bahru feels less like window shopping at a mall than walking through an arts fair put on by your older sibling’s coolest friends. Their collection of restaurants, coffee shops, art studios, and more, housed in a former girls’ high school building, comes together to create an intimate but vibrant community. Cafés like PPP Coffee regularly collaborate with local artists and international brands alike, while pottery studio The Potter’s Guilt offers a range of workshops for beginners and experienced artists alike. Set aside a lazy weekend afternoon to fully explore the range of creative offerings at New Bahru.
New Bahru is located at 46 Kim Yam Road, New Bahru, Singapore 239351.
195 Pearl’s Hill Terrace
As the website of this Chinatown creative enclave proclaims, “This is not a mall and you will not find a 10 am-10 pm, Mondays to Sundays store here”. The eclectic cluster of arts-focused businesses includes cafés, tattoo parlours, art studios, and much more, all connected by a desire to keep Singapore’s arts scene thriving. The enclave grew organically, as “office-type businesses” vacated the building and a growing number of creative ventures stepped in to fill the void, attracted by a community spirit and small-business-friendly leases. As it stands, 195 Pearl’s Hill Terrace is a boldly loving tribute to Singapore’s creative underbelly.
195 PHT’s full address is 195 Pearl’s Hill Terrace, Singapore 168976.
Casual Poet Library
Casual Poet Library is a community library in the truest sense of the word. Each shelf in the cosy Alexandria Road space is rented by a different community member who has full creative control over its curation. Visitors can peruse books in the library for free, or choose to pay a small monthly fee to become a library member and read at home at their own convenience. The owners of the library also regularly organise events and get-togethers for patrons and members, comprising picnics, art workshops, and a book club.
Casual Poet Library is located at 123 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-110, Singapore 150123.
Asian Film Archive
Founded in 2005, the Asian Film Archive is a non-profit organisation that aims to serve as a hub for the Asian film community through its screenings, event programmes, and cultural outreach. For those interested in preserving the spirit of The Projector, there’s no better time to support AFA’s mission of showcasing and preserving the best of Asian cinema. Notably, they run a regular film programme series at the Oldham Theatre in the National Archives of Singapore.
The Asian Film Archive‘s full events calendar can be found here. Oldham Theatre is located at 1 Canning Rise, Singapore 179868.
Book Bar
This independent Duxton Road bookstore puts a spotlight on local authors, and regularly hosts readings, book signings, and other social events. Bookworm Banter, which combines silent reading with a relaxed, book club-style discussion, is a popular monthly fixture. Book Bar also branches out from traditional literary events with wine tastings and speed-dating evenings for the more adventurous bookworms out there.
Book Bar is located at 57 Duxton Road, Singapore 089521.
READ MORE
Netflix Is Releasing A New Series Adaptation Of ‘Pride And Prejudice’—Here’s Everything To Know
Artist Teresa Lim on the Digital Habits That Keep Her Grounded and Creative
Let’s Get Physical: Meet The Singaporean Fitness Clubs Fostering Connections And Redefining Wellness