cineaste
UK: ˈsɪnɪæst | US: ˈsɪniˌæst
n. a person who is passionate about cinema, especially as an art form; a filmmaker or film enthusiast.
cineaste = cine<film> + aste<agent noun suffix>
- cine (from French "cinéma," derived from Greek "kinēma" <motion>)
- aste (French agent noun suffix, akin to "-ist" in English, denoting a person associated with a field)
Etymology Origin:
The word "cineaste" entered English via French in the early 20th century, combining "ciné" (short for "cinéma") with the suffix "-aste," which denotes practitioners or enthusiasts. It reflects the cultural prestige of French film criticism and the art-house cinema movement. The Greek root "kinēma" (motion) underscores cinema's foundational link to moving images.
The festival attracted cineastes from around the world.
As a devoted cineaste, she curated a series of classic French films.
His critiques reveal the depth of a true cineaste.
The director’s work is celebrated among cineastes for its innovation.
Cineastes often debate the merits of analog versus digital filmmaking.