After 10 years of bringing alternative films, arts, and community events to the heart of Singapore, The Projector will cease operations and enter voluntary liquidation starting 19 August.
More than just a cinema, The Projector reimagined what a cultural space could be — from its revival of the Golden Mile Tower’s disused cinema hall, to becoming a vibrant hub for creatives, queers, film buffs, and everyday misfits. It was home to Singapore International Film Festival and European Film Festival screenings, Pink Screen LGBTQ+ films, flea markets, poetry slams, charity gigs, music concerts and more.
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But as founder Karen Tan shared, even this iconic space couldn’t weather the economic and cultural storm:
“It breaks our hearts to make this decision. 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 announcement cites the unforgiving reality of Singapore’s cinema and F&B industries, as well as broader challenges in the local arts and culture scene. “Independent ventures like ours navigate limited resources while contributing to the country’s evolving cultural landscape,” the statement noted.
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Still, Tan remains deeply grateful: “This hasn’t been the work of a single person or team. The Projector was built and shaped in all its forms by our fans and collaborators. We are incredibly proud of what we’ve created together — a home for the creatives, misfits, and dreamers. The home of the alternative voice.”
As for what comes next, Tan leaves this call to action, “If Singapore wants to thrive, it must find a way for creative and cultural businesses to survive — because culture is the cornerstone of identity and civil society.”
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