art film

American  

[ahrt film] / ˈɑrt ˌfɪlm /

noun

1. a movie made primarily for aesthetic reasons rather than commercial profit, often of an experimental nature or having an unconventional or highly symbolic content, aimed typically at a limited audience.

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Etymology

Origin of art film

First recorded in 1925–30

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

art film

IndieWire's Anne Thompson described it as "a brave and gorgeous art film that will not score with mainstream audiences but will play best for the Academy" - referring to the Oscars voters.

From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2026

Nonetheless, she made pioneering installation art, film and photography, much of which she called “earth-body” work.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 15, 2026

“This is a celebration that can only happen in L.A. — where art, film and creativity are deeply intertwined,” Govan said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 2, 2025

They’re approachable and engaging, and while she’s working within the recognizable parameters of the classic art film — her stories are elliptical, her authorship unambiguous — there’s nothing programmatic about her work.

From New York Times ● Mar. 28, 2024

Originally that meant exploring the dynamic relationship between a "text" — which could be writing, visual art, film or something else — and its social context.

From Salon ● Mar. 8, 2024

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