The German Film Museum — DFF on Frankfurt’s Museumsufer explores how moving images are made and why they matter. Its permanent exhibition traces cinema from early optical toys and magic lanterns to cameras, projection and the techniques filmmakers use to shape a story.
Part of the Deutsches Filminstitut & Filmmuseum, the DFF also preserves an important film archive, including films, posters, scripts and other production materials. Changing exhibitions delve into filmmakers, genres and aspects of screen culture, while the in-house cinema keeps the conversation going with screenings ranging from classics to international arthouse films.
The museum is rewarding even if you’re not a film expert: interactive displays make the mechanics of cinema approachable, while archival objects offer plenty for devoted cinephiles to explore. Allow around two hours for the exhibitions, and check the DFF website for opening times, special exhibition tickets and cinema screenings. Schweizer Platz U-Bahn station is within walking distance, as is the city centre across the Main.