Abstract: A captive film loop apparatus moves film through a film gate in a manner to increase the dwell time of each film frame in the gate over that normally available with presently known captive film loop apparatus. Film loops on either side of the gate are held captive by first and second rollers which are moved in unison along a given path for a first given period during which the first roller takes up all film fed to it and the second roller releases all film taken from it. The rollers are then moved in unison along a return path to their original positions during a second given period substantially less than the first given period. Film in the film gate is stationary during the first given period and moved through the gate from one frame to the next within the second given period. The construction is such as to provide for a very smooth acceleration and deceleration of the film so that rapid projection of large film formats is possible without damaging the film perforations.