Independent cinema The Projector closes after 10+ years amid mounting debts
The company behind the space in Singapore, Pocket Cinema, has entered voluntary liquidation, owing over US$932,300 to members, co-founders & major creditors
Singapore’s independent cinema and arts venue The Projector has ceased operations starting August 19, 2025.
In its Instagram statement, it said it “will enter voluntary liquidation after a decade of championing alternative films, local creativity and community-led programming”.
The cinema, which first opened at Golden Mile Tower in 2014, became known for hosting festivals such as the Singapore International Film Festival and European Film Festival, as well as poetry slams, markets, and charity fundraisers.
Despite its role in Singapore’s cultural landscape, the cinema faced mounting financial strain.
As noted in its announcement, “rising operational costs, shifting audience habits, and the global decline in cinema attendance have made sustaining an independent model in Singapore especially challenging”.
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The scale of these financial pressures became clear in the liquidation process.
According to Channel News Asia, Pocket Cinema, the company behind The Projector, owes more than S$1.2 million (US$932,300) to creditors. S$104,000 (US$80,797) is owed to 2,300 members and ticket holders.
The largest creditor is film company Overseas Movie, owed S$382,888 (US$297,470), followed by OCBC at S$200,000 (US$155,382) and UOB at S$106,818 (US$82,994).
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The cinema’s co-founders Karen Tan and Blaise Trigg-Smith are also listed among creditors, owed S$120,785 (US$93,846) and S$100,025 (US$77,710), respectively.
The Composers & Authors Society of Singapore (COMPASS) is also owed S$17,700 (US$13,753) in royalties.
Previously scheduled screenings were cancelled immediately, and tickets were no longer available online after the announcement; updates for affected patrons will be provided through its website.
A creditors’ meeting has been scheduled to take place on August 29.
Co-founder Karen Tan wrote that the decision followed “a combination of rising costs, changing audience habits and the worst consumer market conditions in a decade” that left “no viable path forward”.
Via: The Straits Times & Channel News Asia
Amira Waworuntu is Mixmag Asia’s Managing Editor, follow her on Instagram.
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