cinephile

Cinephilia ( SIN-ih-FIL-ee-ə; also cinemaphilia or filmophilia) is the term used to refer to a passionate interest in films, film theory, and film criticism. The term is a portmanteau of the words cinema and philia, one of the four ancient Greek words for love. A person with a passionate interest in cinema is called a cinephile ( SIN-ih-fyle), cinemaphile, filmophile, or, informally, a film buff (also movie buff). To a cinephile, a film is often not just a source of entertainment as they see films from a more critical point of view. In English, cinephile is sometimes used interchangeably with the word cineaste ( SIN-ee-ast, -⁠ay-), though in the original French the term cinéaste ([sine.ast]) refers to a filmmaker.