Black matte aluminum foil used to flag and shape light sources — moldable, heat-resistant, and non-reflective.
Technical Details
Standard Cinefoil is supplied in rolls of 12 and 24 inches wide (30.5 and 61 cm respectively) with a length of 25 feet (7.6 m). Its tensile strength is 14,000 PSI, allowing the material to be shaped and reused multiple times without tearing. The matte black surface produces a reflectivity of less than 2%, while the reverse side remains shiny. Cinefoil can withstand temperatures up to 600°C and emits no toxic fumes. Variants include self-adhesive Cinefoil with acrylate adhesive and perforated versions for special lighting effects.
History & Development
Rosco introduced Cinefoil in 1972 as an alternative to conventional household foil, which melted at studio temperatures and created unwanted reflections. The breakthrough came in 1975 with the introduction of the anodized surface, which made the material completely reflection-free. In the 1980s, Cinefoil established itself as an industry standard after cinematographer Gordon Willis prominently used it in "The Godfather" (1972) for precise shadow work. Since 2010, Rosco has offered more environmentally friendly variants with recycled aluminum.
Practical Use in Film
Cinefoil is primarily used for light modification through flagging, snooting, and shaping light sources. In "Blade Runner 2049" (2017), DoP Roger Deakins used Cinefoil cylinders around LED panels to create hard light lines for the futuristic city architecture. Typical applications include taping camera lenses to prevent lens flares, shaping gobos for shadow patterns, and isolating individual LED segments in panel arrays. Unlike fabric flags, Cinefoil allows for millimeter-precise light control directly at the light fixture.
Comparison & Alternatives
Cinefoil differs from conventional aluminum foil in its higher tear resistance and absolute matte finish. Rosco's Black Wrap serves as a direct competitor product with identical specifications. Modern LED technology reduces the need for Cinefoil through more precise light control via barn doors and electronic dimming systems. Digital light shaping through programmable LED matrices is increasingly replacing mechanical shading, but Cinefoil remains indispensable for micro-adjustments and special effects.