Web film

Not to be confused with films released exclusively through digital distribution.

A web film is a film made with the medium of the Internet and its distribution constraints in mind. ^[1] This term aims to differentiate content made for the Internet from content made for other media, such as cinema or television, that has been converted into a World Wide Web-compatible format. Web films are a form of new media.

Forms

There are broadly three forms of films that can be encountered on the Internet:

Form	Description	Defining Features	Example
Traditional promotion	A digitised version of films shot with the same production methods and technology used for TV/Cinema.	Often 35mm or high definition digital footage. (Usually highly compressed when on web.)	Cinema trailers online, for example the trailer for Lord of the Rings. [2]
Films not made for, but distributed via the Internet	A film taking advantage of the Internet for distribution.	Often large files and/or designed to be downloaded not streamed.	The short film 405 The Movie or releases in file sharing communities. [3]
Web films	Films made with the medium of the Internet and its constraints in mind.	Made in harmony with Internet & computer technologies such as streaming or Flash or After Effects.	The short film Distance Over Time [4] and An EX and PT Movie [5]

See also

• Pluginmanifesto
• Web series

References

1. Kronschnabl, A & Rawlings, T, Plug In & Turn On: A Filmmakers Guide to the Internet. London:Marion Boyars. 2004. http://www.plugincinema.com/plugin/about_us/plugin_book.htm
2. 'The Lord of the Rings' trailers can be found at – http://www.lordoftherings.net
3. '405 The Movie' can be found at - http://www.405themovie.com
4. The film Distance Over Time can be found on plugincinema.com - http://www.plugincinema.com/plugin/plugin_cinema/index.htm#f28
5. "Next Generation Web Film". 4 September 2025.