There are times when regular cinemas and your Netflix subscription just isn’t cutting it. For moments like that, head out to one of these indie cinemas for special screenings of award-winning arthouse flicks and thought-provoking films that are otherwise impossible to find anywhere else.
Alliance Francaise
The theater at this French center seats 236, making it one of the largest independent film houses around. Along with hosting the annual French Film Festival, it holds regular screenings of both classic and contemporary French films. Screenings are typically on film to ensure a high quality experience. On Tuesdays, they do a screening as part of their Cine Club, which has monthly themes, such as ‘One Big Happy Family’ and ‘Belles & Rebels’. 1 Sarkies Rd.
ArtScience Museum
You might not know this, but in addition to jaw-dropping exhibitions, Instagrammable digital installations and Thursday night multimedia shows, the ArtScience Museum also has an exciting screening series. The ArtScience on Screen series on the fourth floor does free screenings of mostly documentaries that touch on topics close to the museum’s mission. In the past, it has shown Werner Herzog’s Lo & Behold: Reveries of a Connected World and Water, a collection of seven feature-length films by various Southeast Asian filmmakers, each meditating on the role of water in life, conflict and more. 6 Bayfront Ave.
National Museum of Singapore
Their wonderful Under the Banyan Tree outdoor movie series seems to have gone dormant, but fear not. There are still occasional screenings to check out at NMS. The museum’s Cinematheque Selects in the basement Gallery Theatre is a monthly double bill touching on Singapore’s most notable productions. The museum is also a regular venue for screenings by citywide festivals, such as the Voilah! French Festival and the Singapore International Film Festival. The Singapore premier of K. Rajagopal’s A Yellow Bird happened here in 2016. 93 Stamford Rd.
NTU Centre for Contemporary Art Singapore
Located at Gillman Baracks, the CCA hosts artists from around the world through its residencies program, as well as holds regular seminars and research programs aimed at enhancing the local art scene. They also do regular screenings of Singaporean and overseas films handpicked by researchers and filmmakers. 9 Lock Rd.
Objectifs
Singapore’s independent center for photography and film is home to an annual all-women photography exhibition and series of film screenings called Women in Film. They also organize an annual film series, Watch Local, where a selection of telemovies spanning the 1990s and beyond are screened. On top of that, they are also a venue for the Singapore International Film Festival, plus curators to film series’ like Asian Film Focus and Silver Films, showcasing local short films that explore and engage with seniors. 155 Middle Rd.
Oldham Theatre
Inside the revamped National Archives of Singapore building, Oldham Theatre welcomes cinephiles for regular film screenings. Manned and programmed by the folks at the Asian Film Archive, look forward to a curated mix of classic, contemporary and new releases of critically acclaimed Asian film titles. At Oldham Theatre, audiences can catch some of AFA’s annual film festivals, such as State of Motion, Asian Restored Classics and Singapore Shorts. 1 Canning Rise
Screening Room
This unusual bistro, rooftop bar and mini-movie lounge is where you can have wine, classy cocktails and tapas while you catch arthouse and classic films. It’s not all arty-farty flicks eiter. They’ve been known to screen Home Alone over Christmas and other Hollywood biggies like Blue Jasmine and Pulp Fiction. 12 Ann Siang Rd.
Screening Room at The Arts House
Perhaps you frequent the Barber Shop by Timbre at The Arts House to get your weekly dose of funk and jazz. But more than that, the Screening Room here plays films brought to you by Anticipate Pictures, which focuses on independent US films, the best of European arthouse cinema, and thought-provoking documentaries. In line with their aim to discuss and uncover controversial material, their past screenings include Good Time, The Killing of a Scared Deer, and Happy End. The Square, an 2018 Oscar nominee for Best Foreign Language Film and Palme d’Or 2017 winner had it’s exclusive theatrical run here as well, touching on altruism and living up to our own ideals of doing good in society. 1 Old Parliment Ln.
STPI
Established in 2002, STPI is the largest print workshop in Asia and an art gallery. In recent years, besides featuring exhibitions from emerging artists and established artists, they have also hosted numerous film screenings under their Mid Week Film series, happening on selected Wednesdays. Admission is free with popcorn provided. 41 Robertson Quay.
The Projector
A big renovation effort and the result of a big crowdfunding drive, The Projector at Golden Mile Tower is now firmly established as the city’s most exciting independent cinema, and a regular venue for film festivals big and small, not to mention indie screenings of all types. They’re also known to do parties alongside their many film festival runs every year. Get a drink from Intermission Bar outside before heading in for your show. 5/F Golden Mile Tower, 6001 Beach Rd.
