Former Projector team returns with Filmhouse, reigniting Singapore’s independent cinema scene
Five months after a beloved indie cinema shuttered unexpectedly, a familiar team is making a quiet but meaningful comeback, bringing renewed hope to Singapore’s film community.
A Familiar Space, A New Beginning
Filmhouse, a new independent cinema, is set to take over the three-screen venue at Golden Mile Tower on Beach Road, formerly occupied by The Projector. The reopening comes five months after The Projector’s sudden closure in August 2025, which followed voluntary liquidation due to approximately S$1.2 million in accumulated debt. Renovation works are currently underway, with a soft opening expected in late January or early February 2026.
Core Projector Team Returns
The new venture is led by familiar faces. Former Projector general manager Sharon Tan, 41, will assume the same role at Filmhouse. She is joined by Walter Navarro, who spent nearly a decade as The Projector’s head of programming and will continue in that position. Several other alumni from The Projector have also taken up key roles, restoring confidence among distributors and long-time partners.
Upgraded Screens and Nostalgic Touches
While Filmhouse introduces technical upgrades, it retains visual nods to its predecessor. One hall, the Green Room, will be upgraded to a 4K projector, while the Redrum and Blue Room will continue using 2K projection systems. The original hall names and selected murals will be preserved to honor the venue’s legacy within Singapore’s indie film culture.
Curated Films and Festival Partnerships
Filmhouse will screen a mix of new releases, foreign films, art-house selections, and retrospectives. The cinema also plans to partner embassies hosting national film festivals. Films slated for the soft launch include Sentimental Value, winner of the Grand Prix at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, Hamnet directed by Chloe Zhao, winner of Best Motion Picture Drama at the 2026 Golden Globes, and Rental Family starring Brendan Fraser.
Backing from a Private Cinephile
The cinema is funded entirely by a Singapore permanent resident and Chinese national who lives locally. While not from the film or lifestyle industries, the investor is a longtime cinephile and former regular at The Projector. According to Ms Tan, he was deeply saddened by the original cinema’s closure and chose to support the team quietly, preferring to keep the spotlight on the people running Filmhouse.
Industry Support and Cautious Optimism
The return of the team has been welcomed by indie film distributors. Thomas Chia, director of Lighthouse Film Distribution, said the trust and goodwill built by the former Projector team cannot be replicated easily. He expressed hope that loyal patrons will return in sufficient numbers to support Filmhouse, noting that the opening film lineup sends a strong signal of intent.
Filmhouse’s arrival marks more than just the reopening of a cinema. It represents continuity, resilience, and the enduring demand for independent storytelling in Singapore. For audiences and distributors across Singapore and the region, its success could signal a renewed future for alternative cinema spaces in an increasingly commercialized film landscape.
Sources: Straits Times (2026) , Timeout (2026)
Keywords: Filmhouse Singapore, The Projector Closure, Independent Films Singapore, Golden Mile Cinema
