Filmmuseum Düsseldorf

About the museum

The museum's roots go back to the 1950s, when the City of Düsseldorf set up a youth and cultural stage for school film screenings and acquired the nitrate film collection of cinema entrepreneur Fritz Genandt. In 1971 a film forum was established as a municipal cinema, which in 1979, under Klaus G. Jaeger, became the city's Filminstitut (film institute). Its mission was to collect, screen, and teach about films and film materials, and to support Düsseldorf filmmakers.

Jaeger pursued the idea of a dedicated film museum. As part of the redevelopment around Dammstraße, the foundation stone was laid in 1989, and on August 21, 1993, the Filmmuseum opened on Schulstraße – in the extension building it shares with the Hetjens-Museum. After Jaeger's early death in 1997, Sabine Lenk headed the museum; Bernd Desinger has been director since 2009.

The permanent exhibition, covering around 2,200 square meters, ranges from shadow puppets and magic lanterns to cameras and projectors, film sets, costumes, and special effects technology. In addition there are special and studio exhibitions, the in-house Black Box cinema with a historic cinema organ, and extensive archives of photos, posters, screenplays, and personal estates. The museum is a member of the Kinematheksverbund (German association of film archives) and of FIAF, and also preserves the film collection of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition on four floors, from the magic lantern to visual effects
• Re-created film studio and green screen to try out
• New section on costume, masks, and makeup with pieces from films including “Nosferatu – Phantom der Nacht”
• Neon sign of the former Lichtburg cinema on Königsallee
• In-house Black Box cinema with silent films and a historic cinema organ

Permanent exhibitions

• Die Geschichte des Films – Across four floors, the exhibition moves from shadow play and the magic lantern to cameras and projectors, film sets, props, a re-created studio, and special effects technology for animated and science fiction films.
• Kostüm, Maske und Make-up – New exhibition section on costumes, props, and makeup as cinematic design tools, with pieces from films including “Intolerance” and an interactive station on three costumes.

Founded

1993

Operated by

Landeshauptstadt Düsseldorf

Director

Bernd Desinger

Admission & discounts

Free with the Art:card, Düsselpass, and Düsseldorf Card, among others, and for members of the friends' association, ICOM, and DMB. Payment in cash or by debit card (EC card).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: not available
• Sign language tours: not available
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: not available

Step-free entrance or access via ramp, doors at least 90 cm wide, elevator to all four levels (car approx. 125 × 250 cm), accessible restroom, wheelchair space in the Black Box cinema, seating in the exhibition. No special aids for visitors with hearing or visual impairments. Accessible parking spaces in the Altstadt Rheinufer underground parking garage (approx. 150 m), at Carlsplatz, and at Burgplatz. Certified under the “Reisen für Alle” (Travel for All) scheme.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Kids’ birthday parties

Visit recommended from preschool age when accompanied. Interactive stations and hands-on areas; children's tours, film workshops, family cinema on Sundays, as well as workshops and adventure tours for children's birthday parties.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Lockers
• Wi-Fi

Drinks in the foyer, no food. Small museum shop with DVDs, books, and catalogs. Lockers in the basement (no suitcases). Wi-Fi only via the city hotspot.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties

Studio, Black Box cinema, entrance area of the permanent exhibition, and Studio FX available for events and private celebrations; no in-house catering. Inquiries to filmmuseum@duesseldorf.de.

Plan your visit