Which term describes sounds that are part of the story world of the film?

Diegetic sound refers to audio elements that are part of the film's story world, meaning that the characters within the film can hear these sounds. This includes dialogue spoken by characters, sounds made by objects within the scene, and any other noises that occur naturally as part of the on-screen environment. Diegetic sound serves to create a sense of realism and immersion for the audience, grounding the narrative in a tangible world.

In contrast, non-diegetic sound encompasses audio that is not part of the story world, such as background music or narration that only the audience hears. Ambient sound refers to background sounds that create the setting of a scene but may not be directly linked to the characters or objects. Foley sound is a specific type of diegetic sound created by sound artists to enhance the audio experience, often including footsteps or rustling clothes, but it still remains a subset of diegetic sound. Therefore, the term that best describes sounds that characters can hear and interact with in the film is diegetic sound.