A film advance mechanism is provided in which film is advanced stepwise by two reciprocal film-engagement pins (20). The pins (20) are mounted on a cam follower (10) and the pins and cam follower are arranged to rotate relative to a circular cam (12). The surface profile of the cam (12) moves the pins (20) into engagement with the film during about 60.degree. every revolution thereby allowing the film to be stationary for about 300.degree.. Two reciprocal location pins (33) are also provided which are synchronized with the film-engagement pins and are arranged to engage the film only when the film is stationary.