FAQ
How to search for excerpts/individual pictures
What is available on this website?
- Official Documentary Reports
- Newsreels from the war
- War bond propaganda films
The web portal also presents films from the Weimar Republic era (1919-1933). These works focus on:
- Weekly newsreels (e.g. Messter-Woche, UFA-Wochenschau, Deulig-Woche and Emelka-Woche)
- Official productions (commissions)
The World War I collection contains about 100 films with a running time of more than 20 hours.
The website also provides access to German Federal cinema newsreels and productions that were commissioned by the German Federal Press Office from 1945-1999, such as
- The newsreels Welt im Bild, Welt im Film, Neue Deutsche Wochenschau, Die Zeit unter der Lupe, UFA-Wochenschau, El Mundo
- Deutschlandspiegel and additional magazines and documentaries by the German Federal Press Office
Additional information can be found in the Film Collections.
Where do I find films from the years 1933 - April 1945?
This includes:
- Sound film weekly newsreels (e.g. UFA-Ton-Woche, Deutsche Wochenschau, Deulig-Ton-Woche)
- Documentary films
filmbenutzung[at]bundesarchiv.de
For matters relating to the licensing of the clips please contact Transit Film:
footage[at]transitfilm.de
My Search results only lead me to the entire video. Why aren’t searched shots or motives displayed right away?
However, our website technology helps you to find your search results within a video:
- the keywords in the search are highlighted in the detailed information of the films and the speaker text.
- the video player enables you to fast forward and rewind.
- the section “play story” contains keyframes for each segment. By clicking the keyframes the story starts playing in the video player. The section “play scene” contains a keyframe for each scene in the video. By clicking the keyframes you can choose a specific film scene.
Can I cache my search results?
How can I access my favourites at a later point?
Registration
How does the registration process work?
Shopping cart and order
What is the shopping cart?
How can I access my shopping cart at a later point?
How can I order material?
For orders for a non-profit scientific, private and official use as well as historical-political educational work please use the contact form for the German Federal Archives. The German Federal Archives requires a usage request and an approval form before sending any material. A complete online-workflow will be available on our website soon. Until then the German Federal Archives will contact you before the order can be confirmed. The request for use can be found here:
Link Request for use
Please complete and sign the form and send it to the German Federal Archives via mail, pdf or fax.
After your request has been approved the German Federal Archives will send a release to Transit Film, the technical service provider. For all other steps the Transit Film General Terms and Conditions apply. Once we expand our website the complete order process can be done online.
Transit Film will charge you for any technical costs (copy service) and if applicable, the shipping of physical data storage devices. For more in depth information please check the German Federal Archives Terms of Use.
How to Order Preview Files?
What fees apply?
- Film and television, press, PR and entertainment projects incur licensing fees,
technical fees (copy service) and shipping costs, if any.
Any preview material with the Federal Archives Logo and TC is free of charge.
Link Rate sheet Licences Transit Film
Link Rate sheet copy service - Non-profit scientific, private and official uses as well as historical-political
educational work only incur technical costs (copy service) and shipping costs, if any.
In individual cases fees may incur on the German Federal Archives side, which would
send any invoice directly to the client.
Link Rate sheet copy service
Which formats are available for download?
- 2K ProRes 4444

Broadcast quality HD Material:
- XDCam HD, 50 Mbit, MXF
- ProRes HQ

Broadcast quality SD Material:
- IMX D10, PAL, 50 Mbit/s, MXF
- ProRes HQ
- H264, AAC, 1920x1080 px, 5.000 kbit/s, MP4
- WMV9, 1920x1080 px, 5.000 kbits/s
- mp4-Container (H.264 + AAC), 1 Mbit/s, resolution 640x480 px (preview files)
- WebM-Container (VP8 + Vorbis), 1 Mbit/s, resolution 640x480 px
- WMV9, 640x480 px, 1128 kbit/s
Which physical data storage media are available?
- HDCAM-SR
- HD-CAM
- Beta Digital
- Beta SP
- Blu-ray
- DVD
- CD
- VHS
What is the procedure for ordering analog material?
How can I purchase audio recordings?
- wav
- aiff
For additional information and rates please check out our cost calculator.
How can I purchase photos?
- JPG
- TIFF
SD material:
720 x 576 Pixel
HD material:
1920 x 1080 Pixel
2K material:
2048 x 1556 Pixel
For additional information and rates please check out our cost calculator.
How can I cancel or withdraw my order?
Payment and delivery
How do I make a payment?
How is my invoice calculated?
- Clients of Transit Film incur licencing fees and technical fees, as well as shipping costs, if applicable.
- Users of the German Federal Archives incur technical costs (copy service) and shipping costs, if applicable. Transit Film will send the invoice. In individual cases fees may incur on the German Federal Archives side, which would send any invoice directly.
How will I receive the material?
- After clients of Transit Film have signed and returned their order confirmation
(= usage authorization) to Transit Film, Transit Film will forward the order to PHAROS – The Post Group.
Transit Film will send you the download link via E-Mail, any physical data
storage media will be shipped directly by PHAROS – The Post Group.
For further information please check out Transit Film General Terms and Conditions. - Users of the German Federal Archives need to sign and return a usage request,
once it has been approved the German Federal Archives will send an approval form to
the client and to Transit Film. Subsequently you will receive an order confirmation
from Transit Film. Once you signed and returned it to Transit Film the technical
order will be forwarded to PHAROS – The Post Group. Transit Film will provide you with the
download links, any physical data storage media will be shipped directly by PHAROS – The Post Group.
For further information please check out German Federal Archives Terms of Use.
How soon will I receive the film material?
- Download: if you want to download the requested material our media server at PHAROS – The Post Group will transcode it into the format you chose. You can download the link via Webgate.io. Depending on the type and size of your order and the workload of the server it should usually be ready within 48 hours (within one work week).
- Delivery of physical data storage carriers: If you order physical data storage carriers the material will be delivered to you by a mail delivery service, usually within two working days (within one work week). The copy process may take longer if you placed a large order. Other shipping options may take more time as well. Deliveries outside of Germany are likely to take longer.
How does the download work and how long is it available?
How long are preview files available for download?
Licences
Which licencing rights does Transit Film offer to clients from the fields of film and television, press, PR and entertainment?
1. TV-rights
2. Home-Video-rights
3. Theatrical rights
4. Internet rights
5. Entertainment rights, e.g. airlines and other target groups (hotels, retirement homes, hospitals, etc.)
For preview purposes you may receive material with logo and timecode display in advance.
For additional information and rates please check out our cost calculator.
How can I tell if foreign material is included?
When do I have licence films with Transit Film?
Film and television projects, as well as press, PR and entertainment projects are subject to a licence agreement.
Obligation to list credits/Copyright
Which credits / citation rules must be observed?
- Clients of Transit Film (film and television, press, PR, entertainment) must
cite the following credits in all publications (film credit, publication,
internet,…):
German Federal Archives, Film Collection/ Transit Film GmbH - Clients of the German Federal Archives must include as a source:
German Federal Archives, Film Collection
The following citation rules apply:
Newsreels and Commissioned Productions, Federal Press Office 1945-1999
a) Citation Rule for Streaming Files
[Title of the work], German Federal Archives, Film Collection: [Videolink]
Example:
The streaming file of UFA newsreel number 414/1964 is cited as follows:
German Federal Archives, Film Collection:
http://www.filmothek.bundesarchiv.de/video/584604b) Citation Rule for Copies (Films, Excerpts, Stills)
The signature, which is relevant for the citation of copies, will be shown in the opening credits of the provided file.
Example:
The copy of a film/film clip from UFA newsreel, number 414/1964 is cited as follows:
UFA newsreel 414/1964, Source: German Federal Archives, Film Collection: F 001711
World War I
a) Citation Rule for Streaming Files
[Title of the work], German Federal Archives, Film Collection: [Videolink]
Example:
The film “Rentier Kulicke’s Flug zur Front“ is cited as:
“Rentier Kulicke’s Flug zur Front“, German Federal Archives, Film Collection:
http://www.filmothek.bundesarchiv.de/video/570618b) Citation Rules for Copies (Films, Excerpts, Stills)
The signature, which is relevant for the citation of copies, will be shown in the opening credits of the provided file.
Example:
The copy of a film/film clip from “Rentier Kulicke’s Flug zur Front” is cited as follows:
Rentier Kulicke’s Flug zur Front, Source: German Federal Archives, Film Collection: F 008533
Weimar Republic
a) Citation Rules for Streaming Files
[Title of the work], German Federal Archives, Film Collection: [Videolink]
Example:
The streaming file of „Anna Müller-Lincke kandidiert“ is cited as follows:
German Federal Archives, Film Collection: Anna Müller-Lincke kandidiert
https://www.filmothek.bundesarchiv.de/video/37299b) Citation Rule for Copies (Films, Excerpts, Stills)
The signature, which is relevant for the citation of copies, will be shown in the opening credits of the provided file/the image border of the provided still.
Example:
The copy of a film/film clip/film still from „Anna Müller-Lincke kandidiert“ is cited as follows:
Anna Müller-Lincke kandidiert, 1919, Source: German Federal Archives, Film Collection: 4513
The User is obliged to make sure that the origin of the used film material is properly credited during and after the production process, in particular in their production databases and archives. In addition to the origin „Bundesarchiv, Abt. Filmarchiv“ it must always contain the full title of the film work. In case of films at least the tile and the year of production must be listed, and in case of newsreels the full title including the periodical indications (year of release, issue number, week, etc.) must be listed. This is important, especially in order to be able to trace the origin of the material for subsequent licencing.
Which data from the website can be used?
Problem solving/technical tips
Problems viewing the website?
Problems viewing downloaded video data?
To view the videos on your computer we recommend these video players, which you can download with the following links:
http://www.videolan.org/vlc/
https://support.apple.com/quicktime
How can I view my downloads?
1. Access the server with the login information provided in our E-Mail..
2. Save the provided film scenes on your computer.
3. Open the film scenes that you have saved on your computer.
What player is best for viewing your download file depends on the format you ordered.
To view the videos on your computer we recommend these video players, which you can download with the following links:
http://www.videolan.org/vlc/
https://support.apple.com/quicktime
Contact
How can I get in touch with Transit Film?
Phone: +49-89-59 98 85-0
Fax: +49-89-59 98 85-20
info[at]transit-digital.de
If you cannot reach Transit Film during their business hours please send a request.
How can I get in touch with the German Federal Archives?
Phone: +49 30 18 7770 1172
filmbenutzung[at]bundesarchiv.de
