Kinoformate

Kinoformate are the physical film formats used for theatrical cinema projection. The term refers to the combination of film gauge, perforation pattern, frame size, aspect ratio, and the type of sound carried on the film. While the concept is historical, it remains a practical way to describe how a film was intended to be projected on screen.

The most common Kinoformat in standard theatrical distribution is 35 mm film. 35 mm prints historically used different perforation counts per frame, most commonly four perforations (4-perf) or three perforations (3-perf), with image size adapted to various aspect ratios. Typical release aspect ratios include Academy (around 1.37:1), as well as widescreen formats such as 1.85:1 and 2.39:1, which were implemented through optical or anamorphic processes. Sound tracks on 35 mm prints can be optical or magnetic, depending on the era and technology.

A second major Kinoformat is 70 mm film, which provides higher resolution and a wider image area, commonly used for large-format or immersive releases. While 70 mm offers a premium presentation, it requires specialized projectors and exhibitors. Other historical formats, such as 16 mm or smaller gauges, were used primarily for non-theatrical applications or limited engagements and are now mostly archival or educational references in the context of cinema history.

In the digital era, cinema distribution largely uses digital cinema packages (DCPs), but film-based Kinoformate continue to be preserved for archiving, restoration, and occasional special screenings. The term thus covers both traditional projection formats and their evolution within cinema history.