Animation seems to be omnipresent these days. All the more so because modern computers provide customised images for every purpose and every occasion - in advertising, in entertainment, for children. The DIAF permanent exhibition takes us back to a time when it was still hands that moved puppets, shifted silhouettes and placed countless drawing foils on the animation table. Using selected exhibits, it demonstrates how animated films were created using the classic techniques of puppet animation, lay animation, silhouette animation and cartoon animation.
Most of the objects on display originate from the DEFA Studio for Animated Films in Dresden, whose artistic legacy the DIAF preserves and shares. In the exhibition, visitors encounter many familiar figures – such as The Christmas Goose Auguste, Heinrich the Stag, or the little devil from Alarm in the Puppet Theatre. Among the archival treasures on show are also items from other German studios – including original characters from both East and West German versions of The Sandman.
The compact display is further enriched by equipment that once ensured high-quality image and sound in animated films.
In regular special exhibitions held at the same venue, the DIAF also presents perspectives on both historical and contemporary national and international animation.
Most of the objects come from the DEFA studio for animated films in Dresden, whose artistic heritage the DIAF preserves and passes on. Visitors to the exhibition will encounter "old acquaintances" such as "Auguste the Christmas Goose", "Stag Henry" or the little devil that once caused an "alarm in the Punch and Judy show". The DIAF archive treasures on display also include objects from other German studios - such as original figures from the Sandman programmes from East and West. The small exhibition is complemented by a presentation of equipment that ensured good images and good sound in animated films.
In regular special exhibitions, the DIAF presents positions of historical as well as contemporary national and international animated film at the same location.
Exhibition dates
Through the night with Wanda Wandalis and the Krossen Kerle
Film evening of the German Institute for Animated Film
D: Pachet Fulmen, D 2024, live-action film with animation parts, 73 min.
The dark feminist superheroine "Wanda Wandalis" roams through Hamburg at night and reclaims male domains. She is accompanied by the legendary Dietrich Kuhlbrodt - former senior public prosecutor, Nazi hunter, Schlingensief actor and much more - as well as musicians and artists who repeatedly transform the stroll into music videos.
"An anarchistic number show in which animations of Fulmen's drawings constantly dance across the screen" - this is how taz author Wilfried Hippen describes the hybrid feature film by Hamburg artist Pachet Fulmen. Some of the animated sequences were created in Dresden when the "aesthetic border-crosser" was DIAF Artist in Residence in 2023.
In her oil paintings, installations, performances and short films, multimedia artist Pachet Fulmen questions aesthetic standards and offers controversial settings for current debates on sexualised power, gender roles and religion.
The director will be present.
Trick after school and after work
Animated films by GDR amateurs
Director: Lieselotte Schließer, Ulf Grenzer, Manfred Seifert and others, GDR 1956-1989, ca. 90 min
GDR amateur filmmakers turned to animation with imagination and fresh humour. Over 200 short films were made, often satirical and surprisingly critical. The programme brings together rare examples of this filmmaking and focuses on Saxon actors - such as Lieselotte Schließer, Manfred Seifert and the Pionierfilmstudio Dresden.
- Moderator: Dr Ralf Forster, film historian and DIAF board member, Potsdam
- Admission € 7
- Booking online or at the visitor service of the Museums of the City of Dresden on +49 351 488 7272 (Mon - Fri)
