11 places to catch indie films in Singapore
Bored of blockbusters? Head to these independent film houses instead.
If your Netflix subscription isn't cutting it, you might want to head out to one of these indie cinemas for special screenings of award-winning arthouse flicks, local thought-provoking films and overseas films.
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, including titles like La Bataille De Solferino and Eden. 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.
You might not know this, but in addition to jaw-dropping exhibitions, Instagrammable digital installations and Thursday night multimedia shows, 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.
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 Cinémathèque Selects in the basement Gallery Theatre is a monthly double bill touching on Singapore's most notable productions. Expect titles like Jasmine Ng and Kelvin Tong's Eating Air and John Schlesinger's Billy Liar. 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.
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; more recently they screened a series of video installation and films exploring the relationships between history, identities and traditions, in the exhibition Ghosts and Spectres—Shadows of History by Apichatpong Weerasethakul (Thailand), Ho Tzu Nyen (Singapore), Nguyen Trinh Thi (Vietnam), and Park Chan-kyong (South Korea). 9 Lock Rd.
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, which returns for it's fourth edition this year. They also organize an annual film series, Watch Local, where a selection of telemovies spanning the 1990s to 2016 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 featuring films from South Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong; and Silver Films, showcasig local short films that explore and engage with seniors. 155 Middle Rd.
Riding on the wave of outdoor film screenings and co-working spaces, The Hive Singapore's Singapore Open Air Cinema Club was only founded last year. The Hive's small scale rooftop cinema has monthly screenings of films, usually comedy, that have included American road trip dramedy Little Miss Sunshine; The Grand Budapest Hotel and The Grinch. Their upcoming screening of classic Thelma and Louise, is a crime drama film about two women who planned a weekend road trip to get away from their dreary lives, which take a sudden turn when Louise shoots a man who tries to rape Thelma in a bar. Tickets include unlimited popcorn (hooray). 59 New Bridge Rd.
This unusual bistro, rooftop bar and mini-movie lounge is where you can have wine, classy cocktails and tapas bites while you catch arthouse and classic films. Past screenings include a series of Italian films such as The Bicycle Thief, La Strada and The Consequence of Love. It's not all arty-farty, though. They've been known to screen Home Alone over Christmas and other Hollywood biggies like Blue Jasmine and Pulp Fiction. 12 Ann Siang Rd.
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 aims 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 there as well, touching on altruism and living up to our own ideals of doing good in society. 1 Old Parliment Ln.
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 like Paul Klee: The Silence of the Angel and Flying Paper under their Mid Week Film series, happening on selected Wednesdays. Admission is free with popcorn provided. 41 Robertson Quay.
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. (Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi's wonderful Taxi Tehran has been the longest-running film here.) They're also known to do themed parties with movies like The Big Lebowski and the Star Wars Series. 5/F Golden Mile Tower, 6001 Beach Rd.
Singapore’s first independent arts center has been an established space for acclaimed artists, writers and intellectuals to showcase their experimental art programmes while encouraging critical dialogue in the arts. Their recent programming, titled Cities change. People die. Everything you know goes away, sought to explore local built heritage, with a Film Fest Weekend featuring three films and a documentary, on the significance of land and infrastructural changes in affecting people. 45 Armenian St.
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