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Film FX

Film Effects

Recreate film effects for photos and videos. Apply retro film looks including film frames, light leaks, lens flares, distressed textures, and more.

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VSCO Profile photo for photographer andrasco
vsco.co/ andrasco

Quickly navigate, apply, and control 90+ effects with four collections: Texture, Light, Frames and Distressed — or play with a little bit of everything in Essentials.

Film FX brings back retro film looks without using a time machine (or a film camera). With endless image editing possibilities, VSCO Members can create unique looks by combining Film FX with other exclusive photo and video editing tools, and film filters.

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Real film frames

Recreate the look of scanned film with frame overlays. Use a 35mm film frame to mimic vintage point and shoot photography, a 16mm film frame overlay to recreate a retro film aesthetic, or go cinematic with an 8mm film overlay on a video.

35mm film strip frame overlay on photo of two people wearing blindfolds taken by Shah Azman edited using VSCO film effects
Fashion photoshoot of a man wearing gold blindfold by photographer Shah Azman using a VSCO film filter
VSCO profile picture for photographer Shah Azman
vsco.co/ shahazman
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Distressed photo effects

Add vintage wear and tear to photos and videos with the Distressed image effects collection. Create distressed images with Film FX effects that look like burned, expired, and broken film.

DISTRESSED / BROKEN 3A
Distressed photo effects
Photographer nicsagodic on VSCO
vsco.co/ nicsagodic
EXPIRED FILM LOOK
Expired film distressing emulates clips, stains, and irregularities that are unique to the darkroom development of overdue film.
FILM BURN EFFECTS
Film burn overlays mimic old processed film, adding blue glowing edges to photos.
GLOW PHOTO EFFECT
Glow effects add a burst of distressed color with a textured film overlay.
BROKEN & RIPPED PHOTO EFFECTS
Simulate broken and ripped film with distressing effects that make photos feel like they’ve stood the test of time.
SCANNED FILM VIDEO EFFECT
Make videos look like they’ve been scanned from real film with distressed video effects that mimic vintage reels.
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Texture film effects

Apply grain, dust, and scratch overlays to digital photos that emulate film damage and other vintage grunge texture with Film FX. Created from real film scans, photo texture effects are available in the VSCO photo editor.

TEXTURE / SCRATCH 3
Photo texture black and white
VSCO profile lessaiv
vsco.co/ lessaiv
GRAIN
Create an authentic grain texture that looks like film. Explore different film grain effects in the VSCO photo editor that offer grain textures from subtle to noisy and bold.
DUST
Add a layer of texture and time with a realistic dust overlay.
SCRATCHES
Add scratches to digital photos that make them feel like they’ve been handled like an old roll of film.
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Manipulate light with light effects

Create realistic lens flares in any light. With Film FX’s library of customizable lens flare effects and light leak overlays, members can add unique rays of light to photos and videos.

LIGHT / FLARE 2
Lens flare effect
Photographer Jason Hunter on VSCO
vsco.co/ ordinaryhunter
LIGHT LEAK
Light leak effects mimic the streaks of stray light that get through the cracks and gaps of old cameras and film processing gear. Explore the variety of photo and video light effects available in the VSCO photo and video editor app.
LENS FLARE
Create lens flare no matter where you point your camera. Light flares are common with older lenses and sunny conditions, but our lens flare effect works with any camera, any time.
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Video effects

Use VFX in the VSCO video editor to recreate retro video effects and classic film aesthetics with digital videos. Combine VFX with other video editing tools like Reverse, Speed, Trim, and Volume.

VFX / VHS
VSCO Profile photo for photographer andrasco
vsco.co/ andrasco
GLITCH
The video glitch effect digitally distorts videos for a creative look.
VHS
Make digital videos look like a VHS tape. The retro VHS video effect mimics the nostalgic playback of VHS tapes and home videos.
KALEIDO
Kaleido creates a hypnotizing kaleidoscope effect that mirrors your compositions into motion.
CHROMA
Split the red, blue, green hues of your videos with the Chroma vintage video effect in the VSCO video editor.
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Shoot with live film effects

Apply Grain, Bloom, and Halation in real time with VSCO Capture. Adjust with precision, combine seamlessly with live presets, and effortlessly create a film aesthetic as you shoot. Download VSCO Capture for free on iOS.

Film grain camera effect
vsco.co/  thomastapy
VSCO CAPTURE

Edit with film filters

VSCO Members can combine Film FX with film filters for an even more authentic film look. Use these lab developed image and video filters inspired by classic film looks from Fuji, Kodak, and Agfa.

Film filter FP2 and distressed image effect Broken 3B
Film filter KCP2
and 35mm frame overlay
VSCO Film Preset KP6 and grain texture effect
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Frequently asked questions

How can I get a film effect on digital photos?

VSCO offers real film simulation with Film FX tools that let you recreate retro film effects on digital photos with overlays like film burn, dust, scratches, and glow. Just open the VSCO photo editor and explore dozens of analog-inspired photo effects.

Are VSCO film effects free?

VSCO offers some free photo effects, but most premium film looks — including Film FX overlays like light leaks, film frames, and vintage textures — are available with Plus and Pro membership.

How can I get the VSCO video effect?

VSCO video effects (VFX) let you apply retro video effects like the VHS effect, Chroma, and a video glitch effect using the video editor app on iPhone or Android — just import your videos into the VSCO video editor and start editing, just like photos.

Can I add texture to pictures?

Yes, VSCO Film FX offers photo texture effects like grain, dust, and scratch overlays that give your photos a raw, vintage feel — perfect for recreating classic grunge texture or distress textures.

What film frame overlays are available?

Film frame overlays are available in the VSCO film effects in formats like 35mm, 16mm, and 8mm so you can add a real film matte or retro film border with sprockets to your images and videos with a single tap.

Can I make images look distressed?

VSCO’s distressed image effects let you mimic the look of old film with overlays like a ripped film photo effect, expired film textures, dust effects, and scratches — all built to give your images authentic character.

Can I mimic a lens flare on digital photos?

Yes, VSCO offers realistic lens flare overlays that add cinematic light leaks to any photo, no matter your camera, lens, or lighting conditions.

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