splitfilm

Splitfilm is a term used in film and video discourse to describe a technique or approach in which multiple images, narratives, or timeframes are presented within a single frame or sequence by division or juxtaposition. In practice, splitfilm often takes the form of a split-screen, where the image is partitioned into two or more panels, each running concurrently. It can also refer to composite work where separately shot footage is arranged side by side or overlaid to produce a single, multi-part view.

Origins and usage: The term is not part of a rigid, widely adopted taxonomy and appears mainly in discussions of experimental cinema and video art. Artists and filmmakers use splitfilm to explore parallel perspectives, contrasts between scenes, or different temporalities, sometimes combining documentary and fictional elements or different visual styles within one frame. The approach overlaps with but is not limited to the broader practices of split-screen editing, montage, and digital compositing.

Impact and considerations: Splitfilm invites cognitive comparison and interaction between panels, guiding viewer attention across compartments and encouraging interpretation of relationships. Effective use depends on rhythm, alignment, and coherence of the divided content.

See also: Split-screen, montage, compositing, multi-panel cinema.