Living film history awaits visitors in the German Film Museum. Two permanent exhibitions are devoted to this most original of art forms of the 20th century. During an excursion through the pre-history of film, the focus is on optical illusion and tricks of movement. Models of the Laterna Magica, of raree shows, flip books and phenakistiscopes invite visitors to try them. A walk-in camera obscura is directed at the Frankfurt skyline and the Main. The replica of the Grand Café in Paris documents the first public film projection with the cinematographies of the Lumière brothers dated 28.12.1895.

This is then followed by the view behind the scenes of the dream factory of the 20th century. Replica studios and backgrounds, techniques, special effects and artistic aspects show the variety and development of film production. Visitors can re-enact a car chase in a model of a car or fly over Frankfurt on a carpet with the help of trick technology.

The special attraction of the museum is the cinema that gives films thematic contexts and if possible shows them in their original version. Its programme includes retrospectives and premieres, series of films and festivals. The museum presents several special exhibitions per year on aspects concerning film. The archives of the museum administer and document films, photos, cameras, posters, silent film music and collections and bequests of actors and directors. There is also an extensive library that is accessible to the public.