Enjoy a showcase of past and present filmmaking at the German Film Museum (Deutsches Filmmuseum). Learn about the foundation, evolution and expansion of the film industry. Understand how we are affected by the acting, images, sound and editing of cinema. Attend screenings of classic and contemporary movies from around the world. The German Film Museum opened in 1983 and is built from the collections and donations of film actors, directors, historians and institutes.
Start in the Filmic Vision exhibit and discover how equipment from the 16th to 19th centuries stimulated cinematic perception. Marvel at the optical illusions created by kaleidoscopes and peep shows. See how flipbooks and magic lanterns work. Watch presentations that include snippets of early work by Georges Méliès and the Lumière brothers, plus rare animations of Japanese acrobats.
In the Filmic Narrative exhibit you’ll get to understand what influences the viewer’s interpretation of a story. Among these stimuli are an actor’s portrayal of a role and special effects using light and sound. Try editing a movie scene by rearranging shots with responsive monitors. Watch a 4-screen presentation that highlights the differences between silent movies and modern-day Hollywood hits.
Check out the temporary exhibitions, which cover everything from anime to animated comedy, film noir and the Oscars. They also celebrate the talents of acclaimed cinematographers such as Rainer Werner Fassbinder and Stanley Kubrick. The in-house theater puts on movies from Argentina to Bollywood, Italy and the U.S.
Find the museum on the southern bank of the Main River among other museums in the Museumsufer (Museum Riverbank) area. Walk here in about 5 minutes from the Schweizer Platz U-Bahn station or numerous tram stops. Nearby attractions include the German Museum of Architecture, the Museum of World Cultures and the Städel Art Institute.
The German Film Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday. Separate fees are applicable for the permanent and temporary exhibitions. Free guided tours of the permanent collection take place on Sundays. Purchase the Museumsufer Ticket for admission to the site and more than 30 other museums and exhibition centers.
