GIMP Version: 2.10
Operating System: Windows
OS Version: 7
GIMP Experience: Basic Level

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I'm mostly self-taught with GIMP (5+ years) and can do pretty much what I want to do with it, but I've been trying to figure out one thing I've wanted to try. I've never really used layer masks, and I figured I might be able to achieve what I'm aiming for with it.

*this is where the image would be if I could link to one but apparently that isn't kosher*

What I'm trying to do is make it so that a white circle acts as a "spotlight" for additional layers, like if I drag an image under (or over, if that's where the answer is) it for example, only what would be in the circle is visible and the remainder hidden by a transparent 'border' of sorts.

If it's possible, I would greatly appreciate seeing how to do this. If not, it's no big deal. It's more of a self-experiment I kept hitting dead-ends with and won't lose any sleep over.

I think OP is asking for a functionality that would be equal to a clipping mask in programs like PS.

Gimp got layermasks for layergroups in 2.10.

You could "clip" this group to a circle (aka the "spotlight"), and drag everything inside the group.
Then you can move the layers around as you like, without moving the spotlight.

I added a black background but it would also work with transparency.

Mask on a layergroup I didn't know you could do that..that's cool.

Thank you Wallace and thank you Konstantin

Ah, thank you so much! I didn't realize layer groups were where that would work. I tried looking this up describing the search in different ways without much progress, so naturally I had to explain it here eventually.

If I run into another block I definitely know where to ask. Thanks again.