onfilm

Onfilm is a term used in film studies, archiving, and production to describe material that exists on motion picture film rather than in digital form. It can refer to footage shot on film stock, film negatives, or film prints, and it is often contrasted with digital video or optical media captured and stored electronically.

In practice, onfilm material is associated with physical film stock such as celluloid or acetate, older projection and scanning methods, and the specific qualities of film such as grain, color rendition, and dynamic range. In archival work, on-film preservation is emphasized because film stock, if properly stored, can offer long-term stability and a tangible record of original material. Digitization is commonly used for access and preservation planning, but onfilm elements remain central to authenticity, restoration work, and scholarly analysis.

The term onfilm may also appear as a brand, project name, or publication title in contexts related to cinema, film history, or analog techniques. Because it is not a standardized industry category, its precise meaning is defined by context and usage, and it can vary between critics, archivists, and creators.

See also: film stock, analog film, celluloid, film preservation, digitization, restoration.