About Us
Commitment and History
As a company with a long tradition, we are aware of our social and cultural responsibility. Values such as tolerance, diversity, openness, and sustainability are firmly rooted in our corporate culture and shape our actions and commitment. In accordance with our expertise in film production, our multifaceted corporate commitment focuses on supporting young talent and upcoming filmmakers while also engaging in local social initiatives.
History
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1912 – 1933
On February 12, 1912, Danish director Urban Gad begins filming DER TOTENTANZ starring Asta Nielsen in Babelsberg, marking the birth of Studio Babelsberg, the world’s oldest film studio.
After World War I, Deutsche Bioscop merges with the German branch of Éclair to form Decla Bioscop. In 1921, it joins Universum Film AG (Ufa). To accommodate Fritz Lang’s METROPOLIS, Ufa builds the Marlene-Dietrich-Halle in 1926.
In 1929, Germany’s first sound stage, the Tonkreuz, enables the production of the country’s first sound film, MELODY OF THE HEART. In 1930, THE BLUE ANGEL premieres, starring Marlene Dietrich and Emil Jannings.
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1933 – 1945
The late 1920s recession nearly bankrupts Ufa. After the Nazis seize power in 1933, the Propaganda Ministry commissions Nazi films, prompting filmmakers like Josef von Sternberg, Fritz Lang, Ernst Lubitsch and Billy Wilder, as well as Marlene Dietrich, to leave for Hollywood.
To distract the German audience from the war, the studio focuses on entertainment, producing MÜNCHHAUSEN and FEUERZANGENBOWLE, starring Zarah Leander, Heinz Rühmann, and Hans Albers. Under Joseph Goebbels’ decree, film production continues until 1945. After the war, the studio falls under Allied control and is occupied by the Soviets until 1947.
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1946 – 1990
After World War II, the studio quickly resumes work. On May 4, 1946, filming begins on Wolfgang Staudte’s THE MURDERERS ARE AMONG US starring Hildegard Knef. Shortly after, Deutsche Film AG (DEFA) is founded, making the studio the GDR’s exclusive film production site and with about 2,500 employees a major regional employer.
From 1946 to 1990, DEFA produces over 1,200 films, including DAS KALTE HERZ, NACKT UNTER WÖLFEN, DAS SINGENDE KLINGENDE BÄUMCHEN, SPUR DER STEINE, DIE LEGENDE VON PAUL UND PAULA, SOLO SUNNY and COMING OUT. In 1976, JAKOB DER LÜGNER becomes the only GDR film nominated for an Academy Award.
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1990 – 2011
In 1992, Treuhand sells the former DEFA studios in Babelsberg to the French corporation Compagnie Générale des Eaux (later Vivendi Universal). Over 12 years, the parent company invests €250M.
In 2004, Vivendi sells Studio Babelsberg to FBB – Filmbetriebe Berlin Brandenburg GmbH. In 2005, Studio Babelsberg becomes a stock corporation. 2007 is one of its most successful years, producing 12 films, including THE READER and THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM. In 2009, INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS by Quentin Tarantino and THE GHOSTWRITER by Roman Polanski follow.
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2012 – today
In 2012, Studio Babelsberg celebrates its 100th anniversary. The following years the studio thrives with productions like THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINJAY, BRIDGE OF SPIES, THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL and CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR, earning global acclaim. HOMELAND in 2015 marks Babelsberg’s entry into high-end TV, followed by productions like SENSE8, COUNTERPART, DARK, and 1899.
In 2016, the studio opens the Metropolitan Backlot, one of Europe’s largest and most modern backlots. BABYLON BERLIN is the first project filmed there.
2018 sees the launch of Volucap, Europe’s first volumetric capture studio for cutting-edge VR and AR projects. In 2021, DARK BAY Virtual Production Stage opens, featuring a massive LED wall for real-time digital backgrounds.
In 2023, Studio Babelsberg becomes part of the global production platform Cinespace Studios, one of the largest sound stage operators globally, with 109 active stages across Atlanta, Chicago, Toronto, Wilmington, and Germany (through Studio Babelsberg).
Studio Babelsberg cements its reputation as a leader in global film and television production by contributing to productions like A HIDDEN LIFE, THE FRENCH DISPATCH, WITHOUT REMORSE, THE MATRIX RESURRECTIONS, UNCHARTED, JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4, and THE HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES. (see References).
