What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
footage
Example
The news station aired footage of the protest from earlier today. [footage: noun]
Example
We have hours of footage to go through before we can start editing. [footage: noun]
Example
The director requested a close-up footage of the actor's face during the emotional scene. [footage: noun]
film
Example
I watched a great film last night at the cinema. [film: noun]
Example
She studied film in college and now works in the industry. [film: noun]
Example
The photographer loaded a new roll of film into the camera. [film: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Film is more commonly used than footage in everyday language, especially when referring to movies or the film industry. However, footage is still widely used in news and documentary contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between footage and film?
Both footage and film can be used in formal and informal contexts, but film may be considered slightly more formal due to its association with the movie industry and artistic expression.