Film photography is now recognized as a cultural heritage in Germany and is on the path to UNESCO listing.
Silvergrain Classics, a German English-language film photography magazine, has just shared the news on their blog: silvergrainclassics.com/en….
“Analog photography has now been officially registered in the State Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. This has made it possible for the state to nominate analog photography for inclusion at the German federal level.”
This nomination and its advancement could mean several things for analogue photography, including greater recognition and perhaps further efforts and investments by German and European governments to preserve and advance this medium.
I think that film is on the same level of importance as books and paintings. Hopefully, the governments agree, as keeping this medium alive on the level we have today costs billions of dollars, and it would be unfortunate to see it dwindle should an economic downturn take place.
Dmitri Mar 30, ‘25