Preservation of Local Cinematic Diversity and Redevelopment of Cinema Spaces
Ministry of Digital Development and InformationSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns MP Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim’s inquiry on preserving cinematic diversity, protecting displaced employees, and redeveloping cinema spaces following the closure of The Projector and Cathay Cineplexes. Minister Mrs Josephine Teo stated that cinemas are commercial entities responsible for their own sustainability, with landowners determining the redevelopment of spaces according to market needs. She noted that the Government supports the creative ecosystem through grants and filmmaker schemes, while local films increasingly reach audiences through online streaming platforms. For displaced employees, career support is available via Workforce Singapore, alongside the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support Scheme offering up to $6,000 for eligible involuntarily unemployed citizens. These initiatives focus on broad cultural support and workforce resilience rather than direct intervention in the commercial operations or content variety of private cinemas.
Transcript
27 Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information following the closure of The Projector and the voluntary liquidation of Cathay Cineplexes in early September 2025, what steps are being taken to (i) preserve local cinematic diversity (ii) protect stakeholding employees (iii) and encourage redevelopment of cinema spaces for public or creative use.
Mrs Josephine Teo: Cinemas are commercial entities that have to remain financially sustainable through ticket sales, concessions and advertising revenue. The Government does not prescribe the types of cinema models or the range and variety of content shown. Cinema operators are best positioned to assess audience preferences, develop concepts, and source suitable commercial spaces from landowners. When changes occur to cinema operations, the landowners will determine the redevelopment of these commercial spaces accordingly.
While the Government cannot directly intervene in these commercial decisions, we remain committed to supporting the broader cultural and creative ecosystem, for example through schemes for local filmmakers and film projects, grants for arts organisations, and key cultural programmes. Local films can also reach broader audiences through online streaming platforms. Films such as Monster Island (2024), which is available on Netflix, and Ajoomma (2022), the first Singapore film to launch exclusively on Amazon Prime, demonstrate how local productions have also found success through online streaming, beyond traditional cinema.
Employees who are displaced due to the closure of businesses can access a variety of support in the form of career services and resources, offered by Workforce Singapore (WSG) and its partners. Additionally, Singapore Citizens who are involuntarily unemployed due to reasons such as cessation of business and were previously earning below $5,000 per month can apply for the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support Scheme that offers temporary financial support of up to S$6,000 over six months.