Film: Genres and Genre Theory

Genre is a concept used in film studies and film theory to describe similarities between groups of films based on aesthetic or broader social, institutional, cultural, and psychological aspects. Film genre shares similarities in form and style, theme, and communicative function. A film genre is thus based on a set of conventions that influence both the production of individual works within that genre and audience expectations and experiences. Genres are used by industry in the production and marketing of films, by film analysts and critics in historic analysis of film, and as a framework for audiences in the selection and experience of films.