Let’s be honest for a second. We are living in the most technologically advanced era of photography ever. The latest iPhones can shoot in 4K, automatically adjust lighting, smooth skin, sharpen details and basically make anyone look like they know exactly what they’re doing.
And yet, somehow, Gen Z is choosing blurry, grainy, slightly chaotic film photos instead. Not by accident, either. On purpose.
So what’s going on? Why are people turning away from something fast, convenient and technically “better” in favour of something slower, messier and far less predictable?
The short answer is that film offers something iPhones don’t. The long answer is a little more interesting.
Film isn’t coming back, it’s already here
This isn’t just a niche trend bubbling away in the background. Film photography has been steadily rising again over the past few years, with demand increasing by over 120% since 2020. At the same time, a significant portion of new film shooters are under 25, making up more than 40% of the market.
That’s what makes this shift so interesting. It’s not driven by nostalgia from people who grew up with film. It’s being led by a generation that didn’t. For them, film isn’t a throwback. It’s a choice.
Perfect photos are starting to feel… boring
iPhone cameras are undeniably impressive, but that perfection can start to feel a little empty. Every image is automatically balanced, corrected and optimised before you even have a chance to think about it. The result is technically flawless, but often lacking in personality.
Film sits on the opposite end of that spectrum. It embraces inconsistency. Light leaks, unexpected colours, motion blur and grain aren’t mistakes to be fixed, they’re part of the outcome. There’s a level of unpredictability that makes each image feel individual rather than manufactured.
Right now, that sense of imperfection feels more human and people are naturally drawn to it.
Slowing down has become the appeal
One of the biggest differences between shooting on an iPhone and shooting on film is the pace. With a phone, you can take dozens of photos in seconds and delete most of them without a second thought. It becomes automatic, almost thoughtless.
Film doesn’t allow that. Every frame costs money, which changes how you approach the moment entirely. You become more deliberate, more present and more aware of what you’re capturing. Instead of documenting everything, you start choosing what actually matters.
For a generation that has grown up with constant stimulation and instant access to everything, that slower process feels almost refreshing.
It feels more real, because it is
There’s also something to be said about the experience itself. When you shoot on film, you don’t get instant feedback. There’s no checking the screen, no retaking the shot and no adjusting things on the spot. Once the moment is captured, it’s done.
That delay between taking the photo and seeing the result creates a different kind of connection to the image. It builds anticipation, and when you finally get your scans back, it feels more like uncovering a memory than reviewing content.
It’s a subtle shift, but it changes the entire relationship you have with photography.
Digital burnout is shaping creative choices
Gen Z has grown up in a world where everything happens online. Social media, constant notifications and endless streams of content have been part of everyday life for as long as they can remember. It’s not surprising that there’s a growing desire to step away from that, even in small ways.
Film photography offers a break from that cycle. It exists offline, it’s tactile and it doesn’t demand immediate sharing or validation. You can take photos without the pressure of posting them, editing them, or measuring their worth through engagement.
That shift from performance to experience is a big part of why film feels so appealing right now.
You can’t fully replicate the look
There are countless apps and presets designed to mimic the look of film, but they rarely capture what makes it special. Real film has depth, texture and unpredictability that is difficult to recreate digitally.
The grain isn’t just an overlay and the colours aren’t perfectly controlled. There’s variation from roll to roll, and even from frame to frame. That lack of uniformity gives film its character and it’s something people are increasingly seeking out.
The aesthetic has become instantly recognisable, especially across platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where that slightly raw, unpolished look stands out against overly edited content.
It’s become a form of identity
For many people, especially within Gen Z, shooting film isn’t just about taking photos. It’s a way of expressing how they see the world and what they value.
Choosing film signals a preference for intention over convenience and for experience over immediacy. It reflects a mindset that prioritises meaning over perfection and that resonates with a lot of people right now.
In that sense, film photography becomes more than a creative tool. It becomes part of someone’s identity.
Imperfection is allowed again
For a long time, social media reinforced the idea that every image needed to be polished and perfected before it was worth sharing. Film quietly challenges that expectation.
Photos can be slightly underexposed, a bit crooked, or imperfect in ways that would normally be edited out. Instead of ruining the image, those qualities often make it more interesting. They add context, mood and a sense of authenticity that’s hard to replicate.
There’s something freeing about that. It removes the pressure to get everything right and replaces it with permission to simply capture the moment.
So, is film better than an iPhone?
Not necessarily. They serve different purposes and both have their place. iPhones are fast, convenient and reliable, which makes them perfect for everyday use.
Film, on the other hand, is slower, less predictable and more emotionally driven. It asks more from you, but it also gives something different back.
Right now, more people are leaning towards that second experience.
Final thoughts
Gen Z isn’t choosing film because it’s easier. They’re choosing it because it offers something they feel is missing elsewhere. It encourages intention, creates anticipation and captures moments in a way that feels genuine rather than manufactured.
In a world where everything is instant and optimised, film stands out by doing the opposite.
And maybe that’s exactly why it matters.
