Spielfilm

Spielfilm is the German term for a feature-length fictional motion picture. In broader terms, it corresponds to the feature film—narrative cinema designed for theatrical release. Typically, running times exceed 60 minutes; longer works are often referred to as Langspielfilme. Spielfilme are distinguished from Kurzfilme (short films) and Dokumentarfilme (documentaries) by their fictional storytelling and emphasis on character and plot.

Production involves screenplay, direction, acting, cinematography, editing, production design and music. They are produced by studios or independent companies and released in cinemas, on television, or via streaming platforms after festival premieres or distribution deals.

Historically, the German-speaking world contributed to the development of feature cinema in the early 20th century, including silent dramas and the expressionist movement of the 1920s. Directors such as F. W. Murnau and Fritz Lang helped shape narrative style, lighting and production design. After World War II, German cinema experienced reconstruction and, later, the New German Cinema movement of the 1960s and 1970s, influencing international filmmaking and continuing today through diverse co-productions.

In national contexts, Spielfilme compete for awards such as the Deutscher Filmpreis and international prizes, and are central to festivals and distribution markets. The rise of digital production and streaming has transformed how they are financed, produced and distributed, fostering cross-border collaborations while preserving cinema as a primary platform for narrative features in many regions.