Without The Projector, S'pore film distributor faces closure

Mr Vincent Quek, founder of local film distributor Anticipate Pictures, is facing potential closure after almost 10 years in business.

- John Lui

With the sudden shutdown of Singapore indie cinema The Projector on Aug 19, he is stuck — his indie movies that were meant to be screened at that venue are now in limbo. "If I sit and do nothing, I might have to close by the end of October," he tells The Straits Times.

His team is now scrambling to find alternative screening sites, but they cannot be just any site. The film purchase agreement requires that these titles be projected in the cinema-grade DCP (Digital Cinema Package) format, with 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound. Also, as some of them are rated M18 or R21, they have to be shown in a venue licensed for such films.

Those now looking for a home include local science-fiction comedy We Can Save The World!!!; made-with-Singapore Japanese drama Renoir; and Amoeba, the coming-of-age feature film debut of Singapore filmmaker Tan Siyou.

Mr Quek, 37, is now in talks with big and small players, including Shaw, Golden Village and Cathay, as well as cultural institutions with DCP projectors such as the National Museum of Singapore, Alliance Francaise, National Gallery Singapore and Oldham Theatre.