Inventing Queer Cinema

With “Inventing Queer Cinema”, the Deutsche Kinemathek is opening its first exhibition at its new home in Berlin’s E-Werk – and simultaneously a new chapter in its work on queer film culture. The exhibition focuses on the films and filmmakers which have been instrumental in shaping and consistently reinventing queer cinema in Germany since the 1970s. It is a chronicle of resistance, solidarity and innovation that extends to the present day. 

Queer cinema tells of the stories, experiences and realities of queer people. It typically shines a light on characters who defy normative expectations and structures – and who, for that reason, are often social outsiders even today. Queer cinema also formally challenges established conventions and develops its own visual languages of resistance. 

The exhibition not only presents key films but also pays tribute to the individuals who have worked in various ways over the past decades to make queer cinema more visible – including filmmakers, festival organisers, film distributors and many more. What kind of cinema did they dream of, or are still dreaming of? What are the reasons behind the failures and successes? “Inventing Queer Cinema” reveals how queer cinema has kept pace with and shaped social developments and even influenced the so-called mainstream. In addition, the show highlights the special significance of Berlin as a centre of queer film and subculture which has also been enriched by international artists. For the exhibition, the Salzgeber film distribution company is opening its extensive archive for the first time. In addition, a prologue references early examples from the 1910s onward from the Deutsche Kinemathek’s own holdings. Additional sections demonstrate how the medium of television has taken up, amplified and brought queer subject matters into the public eye. 
 

The exhibition is accompanied by a film series in the Studio Kino and a supporting programme. 

“Inventing Queer Cinema” makes the diversity of queer cinema tangible, but is not intended to be exhaustive. It invites viewers to further and continuously discover and explore this topic. 

An exhibition by the Deutsche Kinemathek and the Queere Kulturstiftung. 

Concept, Curator: Björn Koll 

Curatorial Team, Deutsche Kinemathek: Nils Warnecke, Kristina Jaspers, Georg Simbeni 

Artistic Director, Deutsche Kinemathek: Heleen Gerritsen 

Supported by: the Capital Cultural Fund (HKF) and the Queere Kulturstiftung 

A press conference and tour will take place on 6 May 2026. A separate invitation will follow.  

Exhibition dates 

7 May to 13 September 2026, Thursday to Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm 

Address 

Deutsche Kinemathek, Kinemathek – Halle, Mauerstraße 79, 10117 Berlin 

Directions: U-Bahn Stadtmitte or Anton-Wilhelm-Amo-Straße 

www.deutsche-kinemathek.de 

The Deutsche Kinemathek is funded by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media.