If you’re passionate about film and media and are learning Dutch, expanding your vocabulary in this area can transform your viewing experience and help you engage more deeply with content. Here are some essential Dutch terms that every film and media enthusiast should know, complete with their definitions and example sentences to help you understand how they’re used in context.

Film
A film or movie, in Dutch, is simply called a “film.” It can refer to any cinematic production, regardless of genre or length.
Ik ga vanavond naar de bioscoop om een nieuwe film te zien.

Regisseur
This is the Dutch term for a director, the person responsible for the artistic and dramatic aspects of a film, and for guiding the crew and actors in the realization of their vision.
De regisseur geeft aanwijzingen aan de acteurs tijdens het filmen.

Acteur / Actrice
The word “acteur” refers to a male actor, while “actrice” is used for a female actor. They portray characters in film, television, theater, or other performing arts.
De acteur won een award voor zijn rol in de laatste film.
De actrice kreeg lovende kritieken voor haar optreden.

Scenario
A script or screenplay is called a “scenario” in Dutch. It’s the written text of a film or television program, including dialogues and instructions for the actors and director.
Ze werken al maanden aan het scenario van de nieuwe thriller.

Cameraman
The “cameraman” (or “cameravrouw” for a female) is the person operating the camera to capture the film’s footage.
De cameraman stelt de camera zorgvuldig op voor de volgende scène.

Montage
“Montage” refers to the process of editing different shots together to create a coherent sequence in a film. It’s a crucial phase where the film begins to truly take shape.
De montage was uitstekend, waardoor de film moeiteloos tussen scènes vloeide.

Bioscoop
A cinema or movie theatre where films are shown is called a “bioscoop” in Dutch.
Gaan we vanavond naar de bioscoop of kijken we thuis een film?

Documentaire
This is the Dutch word for a documentary, a non-fictional film intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for education or maintaining a historical record.
De documentaire over klimaatverandering was erg aangrijpend.

Trailer
Just like in English, a “trailer” in Dutch refers to the preview or advertisement of a film that is shown in advance to promote the release.
Heb je de trailer van de nieuwe superheldenfilm al gezien?

Beeld
The term “beeld” means image or picture, and in the context of film and media, it refers to the visual content that is recorded and displayed.
Het beeld van deze film is werkelijk adembenemend.

Geluidseffecten
These are sound effects, which are artificially created or enhanced sounds used in films to add to the storytelling and the viewer’s experience.
De geluidseffecten in de actiescènes waren echt overtuigend.

Ondertiteling
Subtitles, or “ondertiteling,” are the printed translation of the dialogues of a film that appears on the bottom of the screen.
Zonder ondertiteling zou ik het moeilijk vinden om de film te volgen.

Building your Dutch vocabulary in the realm of film and media will not only enhance your language skills but also deepen your appreciation of the art form. Using these terms in conversation or while watching Dutch films will help reinforce your learning and make watching media in Dutch more enjoyable.