Film fans in Singapore collectively felt the heartbreak when The Projector abruptly closed its Somerset space last August. It marked the end of an era for indie cinema lovers who’d grown used to post-screening debates, offbeat titles, and discovering films you wouldn’t catch at a regular cinema.
But we come bearing good news. 2 new indie screening venues have quietly stepped into that very space. SFS Somerset is a freshly launched film hub at Orchard Cineleisure, while Filmhouse is taking over the iconic space at Golden Mile Tower. Both are dedicated to showcasing local and regional films.
Run by the Singapore Film Society, the former venue officially opened on 1st January this year. It’s set to screen up to 8 films a month, giving cinephiles a new reason to head back to Somerset. On the other hand, Filmhouse is still in the works and is expected to open at the end of the month.
A previous presentation hosted by the Singapore Film Society.
Image credit: @agnesgohsl via Instagram
For the uninitiated, here’s a bit of context. The Singapore Film Society is Singapore’s longest-established cultural film organisation, having championed cinema for over 60 years. It started as a non-profit founded by a group of cinephiles who felt that the films arriving on Singapore’s shores should be more diverse.
Over the decades, the society has been behind some of the city’s most recognisable film events, including the European Union Film Festival, Japanese Film Festival, and Singapore Chinese Film Festival. In short, if you’ve ever watched a foreign or arthouse film in Singapore and thought that you wouldn’t have found it anywhere else, chances are the Singapore Film Society had a hand in it.
Image credit: Aditi Kashyap
Hailed as “Singapore’s newest independent cinema”, SFS Somerset has taken over the former Roxy Hall, or Hall 6. It’s the same 66-seater space once run by The Projector at Golden Village Cineleisure. If you’ve ever watched an arthouse film there before, you’ll remember it being an intimate, no-frills space that keeps the focus squarely on the screen.
The programming is where it really shines. SFS aims to screen up to 8 films a month, spotlighting works that have had limited or no previous screenings in Singapore. Think local, regional, and lesser-seen international titles you won’t find at mainstream cinemas. Screenings run Wednesdays to Fridays at 7.30pm; Saturdays at 1.30pm, 4pm, and 7.30pm; and Sundays at 4pm and 7.30pm – perfect for post-work viewings or a slow weekend.
Tickets at SFS Somerset are priced at $15 each, but there’s a pretty good deal if you’re planning to catch films regularly. Singapore Film Society members enjoy $6 off every ticket – bringing it down to just $9/screening – by entering an exclusive promo code sent via email at checkout. You can apply for membership on Singapore Film Society’s website.
Roxy Hall.
Image credit: Golden Village x The Projector
Memberships are flexible too, starting from $15/month, $39 for 3 months, $69 for 6 months, and $119/year. Besides discounted tickets, members also get free access to one SFS showcase per month, complimentary previews and spotlights, plus discounts on seasonal special presentations and major film festivals in Singapore. Students, NSFs, and seniors can also enjoy an additional 10% off all membership plans.
Do note that all tickets are subject to availability, and it’s free seating for screenings, similar to The Projector. So, if you’re particular about where you sit, it’s best to show up a little earlier.
Image credit: @filmhousesg via Instagram
There’s been recent news that The Projector’s other iconic location at Golden Mile Tower will also be taken over by a new indie cinema known as Filmhouse. Run by the same core team that ran The Projector, the place is slated to reopen sometime between the end of January and early next month.
Fans of the former venue will remember the 3 screening halls – the Green Room, the Blue Room, and Redrum – which are expected to be retained. So, what’s new? Well, one of the halls will be upgraded with a 4K projector, and some repainting will be done.
As for the films, look forward to curated foreign films, arthouse films, and collaborations with international film festivals.
Image credit: The Old Man and His Car
SFS Somerset kicked things off on a strong note with Singaporean filmmaker Michael Kam’s debut feature, The Old Man and His Car. It’s a film that’s already made its rounds on the international film festival circuit, giving us all local pride. If you’re keen to catch it on the big screen, tickets are available online, with screenings running until 17th January 2026.
And this is just the beginning. Beyond regular screenings, film fans can also look forward to dialogues with filmmakers, post-screening conversations, and community mixers in the months ahead.
We’re still waiting for more details on Filmhouse, but if you’ve been missing a proper space for indie and regional cinema in Singapore, SFS Somerset might just be your new go-to.
Address: 8 Grange Road, Golden Village Cineleisure, Hall 6, Singapore 239695
Cover image adapted from: Aditi Kashyap, The Old Man and His Car
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