The Deutsches Filminstitut – DIF e.V. was founded in 1949 and is one of the most important institutions in the Federal Republic for the collection, archiving and academic utilisation of films and film-historical documentation, as well as for the transmission of film culture and film literacy. It is a recognised non-profit institution and is supported by both public funds and private benefactors. Since 2006 it has been the organising institute for the formerly municipal Deutsches Filmmuseum, with its exhibition and cinema facilities and activities.