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Film Access

Information and necessary forms for access to films and film related material

Filmsichtung am Schneidetisch

Welcome!

From January 2024 the Bundesarchiv offers the new online service Digitaler Lesesaal. Browse our database and explore some of the highlights from our film holdings: A large number of films are available to view at this platform, and we are constantly adding more.

However, not all of our collection is digitised and available online. If you cannot find what you need in the Digitaler Lesesaal, or would like to get more information on accessing the films in our holdings, please contact us. For further details on using moving image material we will need the request form for you to read, sign and return ("Documents for download").

Research

At the platform Digitaler Lesesaal you can search for films of the Bundesarchiv, including the available formats. Using the contact form you can directly place an order for specific items of our film holdings ("Anfragen").

There is no charge for answering simple queries. For complex searches by staff members of the Filmarchiv, fees are charged according to the Gebührenverordnung.

You can commission private research services at your own expense. A selection of possible services can be found here: German Researchers and Archive Producers.

On-site viewing

Access to the viewing rooms of the Film Archive in Berlin-Lichterfelde is by appointment only. Please email filmbenutzung@bundesarchiv.de for further details and to make an appointment for supervised individual viewings. The rooms are equipped for viewing films in a range of analogue and digital formats, such as 16mm and 35mm material as well as DVD and VHS.

Film hire for exhibition and screening

Please contact the Film Access Team if you would like to hire out films for a screening or for external viewing. At the platform Digitaler Lesesaal you can explore the film holdings of the Bundesarchiv and place an order via the contact form.

Clippings

If you are interested in using clips for your project, there are two possibilities:

  1. Viewing on site and clipping on analogue material;
  2. Determination of required clips after receiving viewing material with time codes (if these are already available).

Subsequently, the analogue materials are sent to an external service provider of your choice. Please note that you must commission the digitisation yourself. Please clarify all technical questions with the external service provider (lab).

In principle, online publication of the film excerpts can be approved if the following technical requirements are met:

  • no integration into other social media if not approved by separate application
  • complete reference to the source, i.e. mentioning the signature of the Bundesarchiv.

Please follow this example:
Die Deutsche Wochenschau No. 544 7/1941, source: Bundesarchiv, Bestand Film: K-133736.

For more information, please contact the Film Access Team.