Cinema of Germany

The cinema of Germany began in the late 19th century and quickly became very important. German filmmakers helped create new technologies and ideas that changed movies, radio, and TV. A place called Babelsberg became famous around the world, much like Hollywood did later.

Many early German filmmakers and actors moved to early Hollywood, especially because they were Jewish people escaping Nazi persecution. Their work helped shape the movie industry in many countries.

Over the years, Germany has gone through big changes, which created many different styles and periods in its film history. German movies and artists have been recognized around the world, earning 230 Oscar nominations and 54 Oscar wins.

History

1895–1918 German Empire

The history of cinema in Germany began in the late 19th century. In 1895, Max Skladanowsky and his brother Emil demonstrated the Bioscop, an early film projector, in Berlin. This was the first public screening of films to a paying audience. Other German film pioneers soon followed, creating short films shown at fairs and markets.

Early German films were often inspired by literature, with longer, artistic works starting around 1910. During this time, cinema became more established, with dedicated theaters opening across Germany. By 1910, there were over 1,000 cinemas in the country.

1918–1933 Weimar Republic

After World War I, the German film industry faced challenges but also experienced growth. Many films were produced each year, attracting talent from across Europe. This period saw the rise of German Expressionism, a style known for its dark, dramatic visuals and themes often involving crime and horror. Famous films from this era include The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and Nosferatu.

The Weimar era also produced films in many genres, from dramas to comedies, reflecting the changing times and social issues. Directors like Ernst Lubitsch became known for their period dramas, while others explored new styles and technologies.

1933–1945 Nazi Germany

With the rise of the Nazi regime, the German film industry came under strict control. Many Jewish filmmakers and those with opposing views fled the country. The remaining industry was used to promote Nazi ideas, though most films were still made for entertainment. Directors like Leni Riefenstahl created influential propaganda films, while others made more traditional entertainment.

1945–1989 East Germany

After World War II, East Germany’s film industry was rebuilt around DEFA, the state-owned studio. Early films often reflected the destruction of the war, but later productions included fairy tales, science fiction, and western-style adventures. Despite political restrictions, DEFA produced around 900 feature films and many more documentaries and animations.

1945–1989 West Germany

In West Germany, the film industry recovered slowly after the war. Early films often showed life in the ruined country, similar to Italian neorealism. The 1950s saw the popularity of “Heimatfilme,” heartwarming stories set in rural areas. War films from this time often portrayed German soldiers as victims, avoiding darker themes.

The 1960s brought economic changes that hurt cinema attendance. Many studios closed, and filmmakers turned to television for support. The New German Cinema emerged in the late 1960s, with directors like Rainer Werner Fassbinder and Werner Herzog creating socially critical and artistically bold films. These films often dealt with Germany’s past and modern issues.

1990–Modern Germany

Since reunification, German cinema has seen both challenges and successes. Major studios like Babelsberg continue to produce films, and directors such as Tom Tykwer and Wolfgang Petersen have gained international recognition. German films now often explore complex themes and have found new audiences through streaming services. The industry remains active, though it faces competition from international productions.

Film financing

The German government helps make movies through a program called the Deutscher Filmförderfonds (DFFF), which gives money to filmmakers. To get this money, filmmakers must meet certain rules and show that their movies have cultural value. Each year, this program offers 50 million euros to help make movies, and a movie can get up to 20% of its cost covered. At least 25% of the money spent on a movie must be used in Germany.

Germany has many groups that help pay for movies. Some are run by the national government, and others are in different parts of the country. These groups have been helping filmmakers since the early 1900s. Critics say that because there are so many different groups, it can be hard to organize everything well. They also think that spreading money out too much might make it harder for movies to earn back their costs.

Film funding institutions

Film funding in Germany comes from many places, including:

Federal

• Deutscher Filmförderfonds (DFFF) (German Federal Film Fund) of the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media
• Filmförderungsanstalt (FFA) (Film Funding Agency), since 1968
• Kuratorium junger deutscher Film (Board of Trustees for Young German Film)

Regional

• MFG Medien- und Filmgesellschaft Baden-Württemberg, since 1995
• FilmFernsehFonds Bayern, since 1996
• Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, since 1994
• Filmbüro Bremen
• MOIN Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein
• Filmbüro Hessen
• Hessische Filmförderung
• Film- und Medienbüro Niedersachsen
• Nordmedia – Film- und Mediengesellschaft Niedersachsen/Bremen mbH
• Film- und Medienstiftung NRW
• Filmbüro Nordrhein-Westfalen
• Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung, since 1998
• MV Filmförderung, since 2020
• Filmbüro Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, until 2020
• Stiftung Rheinland-Pfalz für Kultur
• Saarländisches Filmbüro, until 1998
• Gesellschaft zur Förderung des Medienstandortes Saarland
• Filmverband Sachsen
• Kulturelle Filmförderung des Landes Sachsen-Anhalt through the Kunststiftung des Landes Sachsen-Anhalt
• Filmbüro Schleswig-Holstein
• Kulturelle Filmförderung Schleswig-Holstein
• Kulturelle Filmförderung Thüringen

Lokal:

• Filmbüro Franken (City of Nürnberg)
• Förderverein Filmkultur Bonn

Festival

The Berlin International Film Festival, also called Berlinale, is one of the world's most famous film festivals. It takes place in Berlin, Germany. Started in West Berlin in 1951, the festival has been held every February since 1978. Many people attend, with hundreds of thousands of tickets sold each year. Up to 400 films are shown, and about twenty films compete for awards known as the Golden and Silver Bears. Since 2001, Dieter Kosslick has been in charge of the festival.

The festival also includes other events, and around 20,000 professionals from many countries attend. Over 4,200 journalists help share news about the festival across the world. During special movie premieres, famous actors and celebrities sometimes walk the red carpet.

Further information on the Berlin short film festival: Moviemiento

German Film Academy

The Deutsche Filmakademie started in 2003 in Berlin. It helps filmmakers talk about movies and makes German films more famous through events and school activities.

Since 2005, the winners of the Deutscher Filmpreis, called the Lolas, are chosen by members of the Deutsche Filmakademie. This award has a big cash prize of three million euros, making it the biggest cultural award in Germany.

Film schools

Many schools in Germany, both public and private, teach people how to make movies. Some of these schools include:

• Deutsche Film- und Fernsehakademie Berlin in Berlin
• Hochschule für bildende Künste Hamburg in Hamburg
• Film Academy Baden-Württemberg in Ludwigsburg
• International Film School Cologne in Cologne
• University of Television and Film Munich in Munich
• Filmuniversität Babelsberg in Potsdam

Personalities

See also: List of German film directors, List of German actors, and List of German Academy Award winners and nominees

Some famous people in German cinema include:

• Emil Jannings
• Ernst Lubitsch
• Marlene Dietrich
• Heinz Rühmann
• Luise Rainer
• F. W. Murnau
• Karl Freund
• Ken Adam
• Curd Jürgens
• Armin Mueller-Stahl
• Michael Ballhaus
• Michael Verhoeven
• Volker Schloendorff
• Wolfgang Petersen
• Werner Herzog
• Wim Wenders
• Roland Emmerich
• Hans Zimmer
• Christoph Waltz
• Oliver Hirschbiegel
• Sandra Bullock
• Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
• Michael Fassbender
• Diane Kruger
• Kirsten Dunst