Industriefilme

Industriefilme, or industrial films, are films produced by companies, industry associations, or government bodies to communicate information about products, processes, or organizational themes. They range from technical instructional films used in training to promotional reels intended to demonstrate capabilities and enhance corporate image. The genre took shape with the early adoption of cinema for business use in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, expanding as manufacturing and technology became central to modern societies.

Historically, Industriefilme covered plant tours, machinery demonstrations, and factory workflows in the silent era, and later integrated sound to provide narration, explanations, and on-screen text. Subjects often include manufacturing processes, safety and quality control, logistics, product development, and company history. Some films served wartime propaganda, others functioned as training materials for employees, apprentices, or internal communications. Distribution occurred through in-house screenings, schools, film libraries, and later broadcast or online platforms.

Today, many Industriefilme are valued as historical documents of industrial practice, labor relations, and regional development. Preservation efforts by national and regional archives seek to safeguard fragile stock, while digitization improves access for research and education. The category encompasses a broad range of formats—from promotional reels and technical instruction films to documentary corporate portraits—reflecting the evolving relationship between industry, communication, and public perception.