Among the film materials are films from the museum’s individual-related collections and estates, e.g., by Werner Bergmann, Richard Groschopp and Horst Klein. According to the principle of provenance, the films remain part of the respective individual collections and are administered by the archive. Other films are permanent loans of individual filmmakers, such as Günter Jordan or Karlheinz Mund. Besides, there are numerous single titles and small collections that have been entrusted to the museum as permanent loans or donations, such as tinted advertising films by Firma Bolle (1923/24), amateur films from the film club Haus des Lehrers Potsdam (1963 - 1989) or a collection of local advertising films and city pictures from Sondershausen (1929 - 1932). Depending on their respective conservation status, films can be viewed at the archive. Some of the film materials are saved on digital image carriers.

Moreover, the collection contains more than 2,000 films and film contributions (Video, DVD) on film history (main focus: GDR), which can be viewed for scientific purposes at the archive facilities.