Filmmaker Mode is a standardised picture setting, supported by many television brands, that switches off motion smoothing and other automatic picture processing, and sets the frame rate, colours and contrast to match how a film was originally mastered. The aim is to present a film closer to how its director and colourist intended, rather than as processed by the television's own algorithms.
Compatible content, discs and some streaming services can signal to the television that Filmmaker Mode should switch on automatically, while it can also be selected manually from the picture settings menu on supporting sets. Because it disables smoothing, viewers used to a processed look may notice more visible motion judder during camera pans, which is a normal characteristic of how most films are shot rather than a fault.
Filmmaker Mode is aimed specifically at films and scripted drama, and switching back to a different preset for fast moving sport, where extra smoothness is often preferred, makes sense. See our guide to TV picture settings for how to choose between the available modes.