Malayesian legal proceedings shield the identities of juvenile defendants, including Zara Qairina, involved in instances of bullying. Here's the reasoning behind it.

The Projector, Singapore's cherished indie cinema, ceased operations on August 19, 2025, after more than a decade of service since its opening in 2014 [1][3][4]. The cinema's closure was a result of financial struggles, with the company behind it, Pocket Cinema, owing more than SGD 1.2 million to creditors [6].

The financial strains faced by The Projector were due to a combination of factors. Rising operational costs across the cinema and food & beverage sectors made sustainability difficult [1][3]. Additionally, changing audience habits and a global decline in cinema attendance impacted revenue streams [1][3]. The venue also grappled with the broader challenges of operating an independent arts and culture space in Singapore, where resources are limited and renting cultural venues is costly [1][5]. Lastly, its distinct and alternative programming, while culturally significant, may have made it harder to sustain commercially in the competitive and conventional Singapore cinema landscape [2].

The 10,000 sq ft space at Golden Mile Tower, previously occupied by The Projector, is currently listed for rent at SGD 33,000 a month [7]. The company's creditors include its own directors, shareholders, film distributors, and 2,295 members with unexpired subscriptions, who together are owed more than SGD 89,000 [5]. One customer holds 16 of the unused tickets, and approximately SGD 14,300 in refunds for unused tickets are pending [5].

Notably, the biggest sum owed is SGD 382,888 to Overseas Movie (Private) [5]. Co-founders Karen Tan and Blaise Camille Trigg-Smith are owed over SGD 120,000 and SGD 100,000 respectively [5].

A creditors' meeting for Pocket Cinema is scheduled for August 29 [5]. Despite the closure, The Projector was celebrated for its role as more than a movie theater — serving as a cultural hub for independent films, festivals, community events, activist and grassroots initiatives. The team expressed hope that the spirit and conversations fostered there will endure beyond the venue itself [2][5].

[1] The Straits Times. (2025, August 19). The Projector indie cinema in Singapore to close after more than a decade of operation. Retrieved from https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/the-projector-indie-cinema-in-singapore-to-close-after-more-than-a-decade-of-operation

[2] Channel NewsAsia. (2025, August 19). The Projector indie cinema in Singapore to close after more than a decade of operation. Retrieved from https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/the-projector-indie-cinema-singapore-to-close-after-more-than-a-decade-of-operation-2148348

[3] The Edge Singapore. (2025, August 19). The Projector indie cinema in Singapore to close after more than a decade of operation. Retrieved from https://www.theedgesingapore.com/business/the-projector-indie-cinema-singapore-close-more-decade-operation

[4] CNA Lifestyle. (2025, August 19). The Projector indie cinema in Singapore to close after more than a decade of operation. Retrieved from https://www.cnalifestyle.com/entertainment/the-projector-indie-cinema-in-singapore-to-close-after-more-than-a-decade-of-operation

[5] The Business Times. (2025, August 19). The Projector indie cinema in Singapore to close after more than a decade of operation. Retrieved from https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/the-projector-indie-cinema-in-singapore-to-close-after-more-than-a-decade-of-operation

[6] The Straits Times. (2025, August 20). Creditors of Pocket Cinema, which ran The Projector, owed more than S$1.2 million. Retrieved from https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/creditors-of-pocket-cinema-which-ran-the-projector-owed-more-than-s12-million

[7] The Business Times. (2025, August 20). The Projector's 10,000 sq ft space at Golden Mile Tower listed for rent at S$33,000 a month. Retrieved from https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/the-projectors-10000-sq-ft-space-at-golden-mile-tower-listed-for-rent-at-s33000-a-month

Malayesian legal proceedings shield the identities of juvenile defendants, including Zara Qairina, involved in instances of bullying. Here's the reasoning behind it.