The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) has spoken out following the abrupt closure of The Projector, with former Non-Constituency Member of Parliament Leong Mun Wai expressing deep concern and describing the loss as a significant setback for Singapore’s civil society and arts communities.
In a statement issued on 19 August 2025, the day The Projector ceased operations at its Golden Mile Tower outlet, Leong said:
“I am saddened and shocked to hear that The Projector will cease operations immediately with effect from today.”
Leong highlighted the cinema’s important role as “an independent space for ideas to be shared by civil society groups and arts groups,” citing his recent attendance at the Independent Media Fair hosted there as an example of its continued relevance.
The Projector, which opened in 2014, had established itself as a central venue for alternative film screenings and community-focused events.
Over the years, it hosted the Singapore International Film Festival, Pink Screen, and the European Film Festival, along with poetry slams, vintage markets, and activist forums.
The cinema announced its immediate closure via Instagram on 19 August, stating that it was entering voluntary liquidation after a decade of operations.
The shutdown came just two weeks after the closure of its Cineleisure Orchard outlet on 4 August.
Leong’s statement drew attention to the broader implications of the closure for Singapore’s creative and civic landscapes.
“The closure of The Projector demonstrates how urgent it is for us to support the arts and independent civil society organisations in Singapore,” he stated.
He also encouraged citizens to make use of the upcoming SG Culture Pass, which will be credited in September, to actively support local arts and heritage programmes.
Management of The Projector acknowledged in its 19 August post that it had faced unsustainable pressures from rising costs and evolving global viewing habits.
“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,” the statement read.
The Straits Times reported that The Projector had scaled back daily screenings at Golden Mile from May 2025, pivoting to event-based programming and venue rentals.
Co-founder Karen Tan described this shift as an attempt to future-proof the cinema’s model.
Despite these efforts, the cinema was unable to remain operational. Both of its outlets have now closed, marking the end of an institution widely regarded as a rare platform for independent voices.
The PSP’s response reflects a broader concern within civil society that creative and civic spaces in Singapore face significant structural obstacles, including limited funding, rising rents, and a lack of institutional support.
The SG Culture Pass, to be introduced in September, is a government initiative aimed at encouraging Singaporeans to participate in local cultural activities.
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