has anyone managed to create a item saved search which displays the item's image file name? not a link to it or an internal ID but the file name as stored in the file cabinet

we use a custom field to store the image and display it. it displays fine in the search result UI

Are you talking about the ones that are automatically linked? No. If you figure it out, let me know!

@Bryan Miller does that show the file name (e.g. 1234.jpg) in the saved search results? or the url path? or the image itself? or something else? i'm aiming for 1234.jpg

Perhaps try using a text formula field in the saved search instead of referencing the file name field directly.