Myriam Makhzami systematically asks this question at the parties she attends. “Do you have Letterboxd?” » It is their way of starting debates about cinema, of “to show [sa] business card » cinematic but above all, for this 24-year-old young woman, to socialize. Created by developers Matthew Buchanan and Karl von Randow in 2011, Letterboxd is a social network whose users, from simple film buffs to the most important filmmakers, list, rate, criticize and catalog the films they watch. They keep a viewing diary, create personalized lists (their favorite movies, the movies they recommend or want to see, etc.) and follow the activity of other users to discover new recommendations.
Beyond simple criticism, the social network has seen a true feeling of belonging grow among its users, which has led to the emergence of a new generation of film buffs. Unknown to the general public until four years ago, it saw its number of subscribers increase from 2 to more than 15 million, between 2020 and 2024. This growth is partly explained by the closure of movie theaters during the pandemic, which has pushed an audience of young people passionate about cinema to resort more to social networks to pursue their passion. A study of the platform, from May 2024, reveals that 66% of its users are under 34 years old, thus constituting the heart of its community.
On September 18, the AlloCiné Club returns to the Forum of Images, on 1Ahem district of Paris. Myriam Makhzami attends the private screening oflongsSean Baker’s new film, winner of the 2024 Palme d’Or. After two hours and nineteen minutes of screening, followed by a conversation with the director and lead actress Mikey Madison, the communication student immediately takes out his phone and writes his opinion. in the movie. Five stars. Nine words. And it is published. This year, the Parisian saw 156 films, which she rigorously graded in the application. “It’s very easy to discover movies, it’s a bit like a stalker.” [espionner sur Internet] : we come across a movie, click on a director, actors and repeat the same pattern ad infinitum”explains. “Letterboxd is a very powerful tool that people can use to have fun and gather around the movies they love, but also to keep track of things and get to know a community”, says Ella Kemp, editor-in-chief of Letterboxd in London.
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