art film

[ahrt film] / ˈɑrt ˌfɪlm /

NOUN

avant-garde film

Synonyms

WEAK

art movie experimental film independent film indie film indie movie representational film

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

State of the art film stock brought sharper, colour images to audiences.

From BBC • May 9, 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

“I love ‘Hacks’ and think Hannah displays incredible acting chops, but it’s a sitcom, and I’m making something more of an art film.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 13, 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