Filmist

Filmist is a term used to refer to a person who is deeply interested in cinema and its study. In general usage, a filmist may be described as a film enthusiast, cinephile, or film scholar, though the term is far less common and not standardized in major dictionaries. The word is formed from the root film with the agent suffix -ist and is typically encountered in informal online discussions, self-descriptions, and niche film-writing rather than in formal academic or journalistic contexts.

In practice, filists are those who watch a wide range of films across genres and eras, and who engage with film history, aesthetics, and technique. They may analyze directing, cinematography, editing, sound, and performance; collect prints or posters; or participate in discussions about film theory and criticism.

Relation to other terms: Cinephile and film buff are more widely used and recognized; filimist can be seen as a synonymous or specialized variant, sometimes with a nuance that stresses the medium itself (celluloid, projection formats) or a particularly ardent passion for film as an art form. Because the term is not standardized, readers may encounter variations in spelling or interpretation.

See also: Cinephile, Film buff, Film scholar, Cinephilia, Film theory.