>> View DK collections on EFG The task of the Deutsche Kinemathek – Museum für Film und Fernsehen is to collect, preserve, develop, present and mediate our audiovisual heritage. Since 2006, it remains the sole institution in Europe presenting both media together through its permanent exhibitions on film and television. Founded in 1962, it has focused its attention on German and international film heritage, as well as exceptional productions of German television. Among the extensive collection of its founding director Gerhard Lamprecht, who was also a director and a film historian, all aspects of production, distribution and critical reception associated with motion pictures were already represented by prominent examples. Lamprecht’s overall concept was the idea of a cinematheque, in which collected cinematographic works would be researched and presented in equal measure to the artifacts and documents associated with them.
The Deutsche Kinemathek strives for an extensive publication of its holdings; for instance through inventories, catalogues and Internet presentations. It grants access to its collections for research and to an interested public, so far as there are no legal obstacles.
The Deutsche Kinemathek mediates television and film history in an exhibition of the permanent collection, in special exhibitions and on the Internet. This history is documented in publications. Special events reflect on historical epochs and recent developments. Both a narrower media historical perspective and a greater cultural-historical connection are taken into account.
The activities of the Deutsche Kinemathek possess the character of cross-generational offerings that appeal to a wide audience. Constant discourse with researchers, other specialists and, above all, artists and filmmakers from all areas of film production, is considered especially important.