16mm

16mm refers to a motion picture film gauge, 16 millimeters wide, used for capturing and projecting moving images. It was introduced by Eastman Kodak in 1923 as a more economical alternative to 35mm film, and quickly became widely used by amateur filmmakers, educational institutions, and documentary producers. The format has also been adopted by some professional productions, especially in independent cinema, for its balance of portability, cost, and image quality.

Two main variants have existed. Regular 16 uses most of the film width for the image, while Super 16 repurposes part of the edge to increase the frame area, enabling widescreen framing after processing. 16mm can carry sound either optically on a separate track or magnetically along the film edge; silent versions were also common, particularly for classroom use. The system has included both single-system and double-system sound workflows.

Technical characteristics include a relatively small frame area compared with 35mm, which yields a distinctive grain structure and depth of field. The format was standard for newsreels, educational films, and independent features in the mid-20th century, and a large catalog of film stocks and processing services supported its widespread use. With the advent of digital video, 16mm remains valued for its aesthetic and archival qualities, as well as for occasional contemporary shoots.

Today, 16mm film continues to be produced and distributed through specialized laboratories and film stock manufacturers. It remains a common choice for filmmakers seeking a classic or documentary look, and it is often used for archival footage preservation and restoration projects.