A film transport mechanism for an optical printer in which the film is positively clamped and laterally tensioned at the position of the aperture between each film advance step, so that the film lies absolutely flat in the focal plane of the lens system of the printer during exposure. This is achieved by providing registration pins and a pressure pad at one side of the film and a curved blade at the other side that move towards and clamp the film. The blade progressively tensions the film laterally against the pressure pad and registration pins.