What is cinematograph film?

Cinematograph film refers to the physical medium used to capture and reproduce moving images in a camera or projector. It typically consists of strips or rolls of transparent plastic or celluloid coated in photosensitive emulsion, which reacts to light and captures the image onto the film's surface.

The first successful commercial film format was introduced by the Lumière brothers in 1895, using a single-strip format. In the following decades, film technology advanced rapidly, with innovations like color film (introduced in the 1930s), sound film (in 1927), and widescreen formats (in the 1950s).

In the digital age, cinematograph film has largely been replaced by digital imaging technologies, though some filmmakers and enthusiasts continue to use film for its unique aesthetic qualities and historical significance. Efforts are also underway to preserve and restore older film footage that has deteriorated over time.