What is Film?

Open daily

Film equipment (incl. a mutoscope) in the permanent presentation

The exhibition is open every day from 10:00 to 19:00 and can be visited with either a film or exhibition ticket. Admission is free for children aged 17 and under.

On the lower level and throughout Eye we illuminate various aspects of the world of the moving image. Learn about how film has developed, from its early beginnings to the present day. Graze through Eye’s unique collection. Find out how the earliest cameras work. Enjoy marvellous film clips. Make your own flip book or animated film. You can do all of these things and more in our permanent exhibition What is Film?

A teen plays with film equipment in the permanent presentation

Green Screen

Put yourself into a scene from a film in the Eye collection using the Green Screen. This special effects technology is used in real feature films.

Mini cinemas

Take a seat in your very own private cinema and choose from hundreds of classic films and unknown gems.

In the foreground you can see the computer screen with which you control the wall with projections

Film Catcher

Discover how beautiful and diverse film can be. Use filter words such as ‘red’, ‘dancing’, ‘city’ or ‘close-up’ to conjure up an infinite array of different visual collections.

A child and an adult view film devices from the collection together

Film equipment from the collection

On the display tables you’ll find the most wonderful cinema devices from our collection, demonstrating significant moments in the history of cinema.

Flipbook

Star in your own mini-movie: make a flipbook in the Flipbook Machine at Eye Filmmuseum!

Posters 

Eye has more than 56,000 unique film posters in its collection. Eye shows an ever-changing selection from this collection on the walls of Cinemas 2 and 3.

A child looks at film equipment in the building

Interactive film devices

Film was not invented by one individual. Countless scientists, pioneers and entrepreneurs tried things out, and all of those inventions eventually led to the camera and projector.

Audio benches 

The audio benches are at the top of the stairs to the restaurant. Here, you can listen to various short stories (5 minutes each) about film in 3D sound.

A child moves shapes over a light box in the animation table in Eye

Animation tables

At the animation tables on the stairs leading to Cinema 1 you can use your own telephone and a free app to make your own stop-motion film.

Seven screens above the bar in the Foyer in Eye show photos from film sets

Set photos

The Eye collection contains some 95,000 photographs taken on film sets.  On seven monitors at the top of the stairs in the Arena, a revolving selection of set photos can be seen.

Body Paint

With artist Memo Akten’s installation, you can create a colourful animation on the wall by dancing, jumping and moving around.

Eye Walk

The Eye Walk is a video tour for children aged 7 to 12 that brings exciting films to life.

Puzzle Tour

Eye Explore More is a free puzzle tour through the whole building for children aged 7 and up. Grab your booklet and pencil, and go on a journey through Eye.

Two adults and two children stand in front of the wall with projections

Looking for more kids' activities?

Discover the magic of moving images and the art of looking. Play with film, make film and watch film. There is always something to do in Eye for children.

Guided tour in Dutch sign language through the permanent exhibition

Interpreters and guided tours in Dutch Sign Language (NGT)

Eye Filmmuseum offers guided tours in Dutch Sign Language (NGT) through the permanent exhibition. Visitors can also watch videos in NGT on their smartphone by scanning QR codes at the various parts of the exhibition, such as the zoetrope, the magic lantern, the Mitchell camera and the green screen.

More information