Carbon nitride is one of the new carbon materials which show interesting properties. After the theoretical calculation by LIu and Cohen, many researchers are trying to prepare $eta$-$C_3N_4$ which may be harder than diamond. Many carbon nitride films synthesized till now by various methods are amorphous and the N/C ratios in the films are usually below 0.5. First we review shortly the synthesis of carbon nitride thin films by plasma, ion and laser processing. Second we report on the preparation of amorphous carbon nitride thin films by shielded arc ion plating and the structural and mechanical properties of the films.