The library and text archive of the DFF are located in the German National Library in Frankfurt am Main. The library contains approximately 80,000 publications on film history and theory, genres and motifs, film economy and technology, as well as film novels and published screenplays. The collection also includes so-called gray literature: publications that are not available in bookstores, such as materials on film festivals, exhibition catalogs, or university theses. Unique is the historical stock of 
film books and film brochures since 1897 and on the prehistory of film. The Text Archive collects historical documents and has the largest holdings in Europe with about one million press articles, 3,000 historical censorship cards, 45,000 film programs and 8,000 screenplays. Around 80 current German and international film magazines, a unique collection of historical periodicals and films on video and DVD complete the collection.
The reference library and the text archive offer optimal support and expert advice. It is not possible to borrow materials, they can only be used on-site.
Please plan ahead so that your visit can be prepared and media from the stacks made available.
The staff will be happy to help and advise you!
Contact
Library
Jens Kaufmann
Phone: +49 (0)69 961 220 430
Email: kaufmann@dff.film
Text Archive
Christof Schöbel
Phone: +49 (0)69 961 220 414
Email: schoebel@dff.film
Magazines and Press Clippings
Debora Classen
Tel. +49 (0)69 961 220 413
classen@dff.film
Opening Hours
DFF Service Desk
Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek
Reading Room and Service Desk
Monday through Friday: 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Online Research
Forbidden Images, Manipulated Films (I+II)
On the edition of the censorship decisions of the Berlin Film Oberprüfstelle from the years 1920 to 1938:
Address and Directions
Bibliothek und Textarchiv des DFF – Deutsches Filminstitut & Filmmuseum
c/o Deutsche Nationalbibliothek
Adickesallee 1
60322 Frankfurt am Main
Public Transport
Metro: U5 / Bus Line 32 (Stop Deutsche Nationalbibliothek)
Further Information
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek
Mit dem Laden der Karte akzeptieren Sie die Datenschutzerklärung von Google.
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Fees and charges
Our library and text archive are subject to DNB’s user fees. Registration for a library card is only possible with a valid identity card or passport. The library card is valid throughout the DNB.
From March 1, 2020 the use of the German National Library is free of charge until further notice. For charges for copies, etc., please refer to the current fee schedule.
Podcast
In the DFF podcasts “Alles ist Film” (“Everything is Film”) and “Filmgeschichte in Objekten” (Film History in Objects), staff members give an insight into the library and text archive of the DFF (german only):
