Film vs. Screener: What's the Difference?
By Aimie Carlson & Janet White || Updated on May 23, 2024
A film is a complete cinematic work shown in theaters, while a screener is a preliminary version of a film given to critics or awards voters before its official release.
Key Differences
A film is a finished product intended for public viewing in theaters or through various distribution channels. It represents the culmination of the filmmaking process, complete with editing, sound design, and visual effects. A screener, on the other hand, is an early version of a film sent to select individuals such as critics, festival judges, or award committee members. While a film is polished and finalized, a screener might still have unfinished elements like missing special effects or temporary audio tracks.
Films are widely distributed and marketed to the general audience, aiming to attract large viewership. Screeners are restricted to a limited audience to garner early feedback, reviews, and award considerations, often accompanied by watermarks to prevent unauthorized distribution.
A film's release is a significant event, usually preceded by promotions and advertisements. Screeners are distributed discreetly and are often marked "For Your Consideration" to prevent piracy and ensure they are only viewed by the intended recipients.
Films are available in various formats such as digital, DVD, Blu-ray, and streaming services. Screeners are usually distributed digitally or on DVDs but are not intended for public consumption, focusing instead on specific evaluative purposes.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Complete cinematic work for public viewing
Preliminary version for critics or awards voters
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Audience
General public
Select individuals (critics, judges)
Distribution
Wide, through theaters, digital, DVDs
Limited, often digital or DVD with watermarks
Purpose
Entertainment, revenue generation
Feedback, reviews, award considerations
Content Completion
Fully polished and finalized
May have unfinished elements
Film and Screener Definitions
Film
A movie intended for theatrical release.
The film received rave reviews on its opening night.
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Screener
An early version of a film sent to critics.
The critic received a screener to review before the official release.
Film
A complete production including sound, editing, and visual effects.
The film's editing was particularly praised.
Screener
A version of a film with potential unfinished elements.
The screener lacked the final special effects.
Film
A motion picture designed for entertainment or education.
The documentary film shed light on climate change issues.
Screener
A copy of a movie intended to garner early feedback.
They sent out screeners to get early reviews from trusted sources.
Film
A thin skin or membrane.
Screener
A movable device, especially a framed construction such as a room divider or a decorative panel, designed to divide, conceal, or protect.
Film
A thin, opaque, abnormal coating on the cornea of the eye.
Screener
One that serves to protect, conceal, or divide
Security guards formed a screen around the president. A screen of evergreens afforded privacy from our neighbors.
Film
A thin covering or coating
A film of dust on the piano.
Screener
A surface, as on a smartphone, television, or computer monitor, on which one can read and view electronically displayed information and images.
Film
A thin, flexible, transparent sheet, as of plastic, used in wrapping or packaging.
Screener
A surface on which text and images are projected for display.
Film
A thin sheet or strip of flexible material, such as a cellulose derivative or a thermoplastic resin, coated with a photosensitive emulsion and used to make photographic negatives or transparencies.
Screener
The medium in which movies are shown
A star of stage and screen.
Film
A thin sheet or strip of developed photographic negatives or transparencies.
Screener
A coarse sieve used for sifting out fine particles, as of sand, gravel, or coal.
Film
A movie, especially one recorded on film.
Screener
A system for preliminary appraisal and selection of personnel as to their suitability for particular jobs.
Film
The presentation of such a work.
Screener
A window or door insertion of framed wire or plastic mesh used to keep out insects and permit air flow.
Film
A long, narrative movie.
Screener
A body of troops or ships sent in advance of or surrounding a larger body to protect or warn of attack.
Film
Movies collectively, especially when considered as an art form.
Screener
(Sports) A block, set with the body, that impedes the vision or movement of an opponent.
Film
To cover with or as if with a film.
Screener
(Football) A screen pass.
Film
To record on film or video using a movie camera
Film a rocket launch.
Film a scene from a ballet.
Screener
To show or project (a movie, for example) on a screen.
Film
To become coated or obscured with or as if with a film
The window filmed over with moisture.
Screener
To conceal from view with a screen or something that acts like a screen
"Only a narrow line of brush and saplings screened the broad vista of the marsh" (David M. Carroll).
Film
To make or shoot scenes for a movie.
Screener
To protect, guard, or shield
"This rose is screened from the wind with burlap" (Anne Raver).
Film
A thin layer of some substance; a pellicle; a membranous covering, causing opacity.
A clear plastic film for wrapping food
Screener
To provide with a screen or screens
Screen a porch.
Film
(photography) A medium used to capture images in a camera.
Screener
To separate or sift out (fine particles of sand, for example) by means of a sieve or screen.
Film
A movie.
Screener
To sort through and eliminate unwanted examples of (something)
A filter that screens email, preventing spam from reaching the inbox.
Film
Cinema; movies as a group.
Screener
To examine (a job applicant, for example) systematically in order to determine suitability.
Film
A slender thread, such as that of a cobweb.
Screener
To test or evaluate (a student) to determine placement in an educational system or to identify specific learning needs.
Film
(ambitransitive) To record (activity, or a motion picture) on photographic film.
A Hollywood studio was filming on location in NYC.
I tried to film the UFO as it passed overhead.
Screener
To test or examine for the presence of disease or infection
Screen blood.
Screen a patient.
Film
(ambitransitive) To visually record (activity, or a motion picture) in general, with or without sound.
Screener
To subject to genetic screening.
Film
(transitive) To cover or become covered with a thin skin or pellicle.
Screener
To block the vision or movement of (an opponent) with the body.
Film
A thin skin; a pellicle; a membranous covering, causing opacity.
He from thick films shall purge the visual ray.
Screener
To obscure an opponent's view of (a shot) by positioning oneself between the opponent and the shooter.
Film
Hence, any thin layer covering a surface.
Screener
One who, or that which, screens.
Film
A slender thread, as that of a cobweb.
Her whip of cricket's bone, the lash of film.
Screener
A person employed to filter the mined coal through a metal screen to remove impurities.
Film
The layer, usually of gelatin or collodion, containing the sensitive salts of photographic plates.
Screener
A question or survey used to filter potential participants based on some characteristic.
Film
A flexible sheet of celluloid or other plastic material to which a light-sensitive layer has been applied, used for recording images by the processes of photography. It is commonly used in rolls mounted within light-proof canisters suitable for simple insertion into cameras designed for such canisters. On such rolls, varying numbers of photographs may be taken before the canister needs to be replaced.
Screener
An advance screening of a film sent to critics, awards voters, etc.
Film
A motion picture.
Screener
(in combination) A cinema having the specified number of screens.
Film
The art of making motion pictures; - used mostly in the phrase the film.
Screener
A guard at an airport who checks passengers or their luggage at a security checkpoint
Film
A thin transparent sheet of plastic, used for wrapping objects; as, polyethylene film.
Screener
A preliminary cut of a movie for award consideration.
The academy members watched the screener ahead of the voting.
Film
To cover with a thin skin or pellicle.
It will but skin and film the ulcerous place.
Screener
An advanced copy of a film for select individuals.
The festival judge was given a screener to evaluate.
Film
To make a motion picture of (any event or literary work); to record with a movie camera; as, to film the inauguration ceremony; to film Dostoevsky's War and Peace.
Film
A form of entertainment that enacts a story by a sequence of images giving the illusion of continuous movement;
They went to a movie every Saturday night
The film was shot on location
Film
A medium that disseminates moving pictures;
Theater pieces transferred to celluloid
This story would be good cinema
Film coverage of sporting events
Film
A thin coating or layer;
The table was covered with a film of dust
Film
A thin sheet of (usually plastic and usually transparent) material used to wrap or cover things
Film
Photographic material consisting of a base of celluloid covered with a photographic emulsion; used to make negatives or transparencies
Film
Make a film or photograph of something;
Take a scene
Shoot a movie
Film
Record in film;
The coronation was filmed
Film
A cinematic work presented to the public.
She directed her first film at the age of 30.
Film
An audiovisual story shown in theaters or on streaming platforms.
The film won several awards for its special effects.
FAQs
Why are screeners distributed?
Screeners are distributed for feedback, reviews, and award considerations.
Are screeners intended for public release?
No, screeners are not intended for public release; they are for critics, judges, or award voters.
Can a screener be considered the final version of a film?
No, a screener often has unfinished elements and is not the final polished version.
Is the content of a screener different from the final film?
The content of a screener can be similar but might include unfinished elements compared to the final film.
How is a film distributed compared to a screener?
Films are distributed widely to theaters and streaming services, while screeners are sent to a select few.
Are screeners watermarked?
Yes, screeners often have watermarks to prevent unauthorized distribution.
What is the primary difference between a film and a screener?
A film is a finished product for public viewing, while a screener is a preliminary version sent to a limited audience.
Do screeners include special effects and final edits?
Screeners may lack final special effects and edits, which are completed in the final film.
How does a film release differ from a screener distribution?
A film release is a public event with promotions, while screener distribution is discreet and limited.
Who typically receives screeners?
Critics, film festival judges, and award committee members typically receive screeners.
What is the purpose of watermarks on screeners?
Watermarks on screeners help identify the source and prevent piracy.
Do all films have screeners?
Not all films have screeners; it depends on the marketing and award strategies.
Are screeners ever released to the public?
Screeners are not released to the public; only the final film is.
Are screeners a common practice in the film industry?
Yes, screeners are a common practice for garnering early reviews and awards.
Why do some screeners have incomplete elements?
Screeners might be distributed before the final post-production to meet review or award deadlines.
Can screeners be used for educational purposes?
Screeners are generally not intended for educational use; films are used instead.
How do filmmakers benefit from screeners?
Filmmakers benefit from early feedback, reviews, and potential award nominations through screeners.
Can the public access screeners legally?
No, screeners are not legally accessible to the general public.
Do screeners impact a film's success?
Yes, positive feedback from screeners can enhance a film's reputation and award chances.
Do screeners have an impact on box office performance?
Screeners can influence box office performance through early reviews and buzz.
About Author
Written by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
Co-written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
