PhotoFilmStrip
PhotoFilmStrip is desktop software for turning pictures into slideshow movies.
What PhotoFilmStrip is
PhotoFilmStrip is desktop software for turning pictures into slideshow movies. Users arrange images in a filmstrip, set motion start and end points, and adjust the path to create the Ken Burns effect. Slideshow settings include aspect ratio, background audio, and total duration, which can be matched to an audio file. Picture comments can become subtitles, and the software can detect image rotation from EXIF data or apply black-and-white and sepia effects. Output options include AVI (XVid, MJPEG), FLV, MPEG4, MKV, and MP4, with resolutions up to Full HD (1920×1080). A command-line interface supports batch processing. PhotoFilmStrip is free, GPL-2.0 desktop software for Windows 10 and Debian-based Linux, including Ubuntu. Running from source on Linux requires Python 3.11, wxPython 4.2.1 or later, and Pillow; rendering also requires GStreamer above 1.22 with plugins. The site invites donations to support development.
Good
- Customizes motion paths between image start and end points.
- Supports background audio and duration matching.
- Exports to AVI, FLV, MPEG4, MKV, and MP4.
- Includes a command-line interface for batch processing.
- Free software under GPL-2.0.
Watch out
- Linux rendering requires GStreamer above 1.22 with plugins.
- Running from source requires Python 3.11 and wxPython 4.2.1 or later.
Who it suits
PhotoFilmStrip suits people who want to make motion-based slideshows from still pictures, add music or subtitles, and export a video. Its command-line interface may also suit users who need batch processing.
Verdict
PhotoFilmStrip combines image motion controls, slideshow settings, and several video export formats in a free desktop application. Linux users should account for its listed source and rendering requirements.
The facts
Each one read from PhotoFilmStrip's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Batch processing
- PhotoFilmStrip includes a command-line interface for batch processing.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Captions and audio
- Picture comments can be generated as subtitles, and an audio file can be used as background music.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Image features
- The software detects image rotation from EXIF data and includes black-and-white and sepia effects.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Ken Burns effect
- The slideshow uses the Ken Burns effect, and picture comments can be generated as subtitles.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Motion editing
- Users can set motion start and end points and insert, remove or move pictures in a filmstrip list.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Output and batch processing
- The features page lists AVI (XVid, MJPEG), FLV, Full-HD, MPEG4 output and a command-line interface for batch processing.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Photo motion editing
- Users can set motion start and end points and customize the motion path.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- PhotoFilmStrip creates movies from pictures by selecting photos, customizing a motion path and rendering the video.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Recent release
- The site reports PhotoFilmStrip 4.1.0, released February 2, 2025, with improved high-DPI support, a dark-mode appearance improvement for the GTK Linux port and memory leak fixes.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Resolution
- The site says slideshows can be rendered at Full HD resolution (1920×1080).checked 5 Oct 2026
- Resolution and formats
- The site lists output possibilities from VCD, SVCD, and DVD up to Full HD (1920×1080).checked 4 Oct 2026
- Slideshow settings
- Projects can set an aspect ratio, background audio and a total duration chosen manually or based on the audio length.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Source and license
- The linked public GitHub repository identifies PhotoFilmStrip as a desktop application under GPL-2.0.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Subtitle containers
- Version 4.0.0 added the option to include subtitles in MKV or MP4 video containers.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker's homepage invites users to donate to support development.checked 5 Oct 2026
The company
- Headquarters
- Dresden, Germanychecked 28 Sep 2026
- Maker location
- The imprint lists Jens Göpfert at an address in Dresden, Germany.checked 4 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Linux requirements
- The download page gives Debian and Ubuntu installation instructions and lists Python 3.11, wxPython 4.2.1 or later, Pillow, and GStreamer above 1.22 with plugins as requirements.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Platforms and requirements
- The download page provides a Windows 10 section and Debian/Ubuntu installation instructions; running from source requires Python 3.11, wxPython 4.2.1 or later and Pillow, while rendering requires GStreamer above 1.22 with plugins.checked 5 Oct 2026
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