Frequently Asked Questions

filmfriend is the video-on-demand platform for libraries. The offer ranges from German classics and sophisticated documentaries to international arthouse cinema and children's series. The catalog is constantly being expanded. filmfriend provides background information on the filmmakers, especially the directors, producers and actors. On special editorially prepared pages, various topics are highlighted and a corresponding selection of films is presented together with background information and further links. Just register with your library-ID or university account and password to enjoy filmfriend.

It is important to us to provide all users with barrier-free access to filmfriend. We design our website, mobile and TV apps to support technologies for barrier-free use, e.g. keyboard navigation, screen readers. All pages are easy and intuitive to use. We pay attention to sufficient contrasts and a page structure with semantic markups. Subtitles are individually adjustable in size and color. When possible, we provide audio descriptions and subtitles for the hearing impaired. We are constantly working to make filmfriend even more accessible to all.

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) define requirements for websites to improve accessibility for people with impairments. Here you can find detailed documentation on filmfriend's accessibility (VPAT© Version 2.4.Rev) based on these requirements.

What is filmfriend?

filmfriend is a website with movies.

filmfriend is an English word and means movie friend.

On filmfriend you can select and watch movies.

You need a library card for this.

You can choose between many different movies.

There are, for example:

• famous old movies
• They are also called classics.
• Documentary films
• These are films that inform.
• Movies that are known all over the world.
• Children's series

And new films are being added all the time.

There is also information about the people who made the movie.

These include:

• the actors
• the director
• A director tells the actors how best to play a character.
• the producer
• He has the money for the movie.

filmfriend has information on various topics.

There are suitable films on the various topics.

And information on the individual films.

What do I have to do to use filmfriend?

You need a library card.

You can get it in the library.

There is a number on the ID card.

Log in to filmfriend with this number and your password.

If you are a student:

Then you can log in to filmfriend with your university account and your password.

Is filmfriend barrier-free?

Yes.

Because we want to:

Everyone should be able to use filmfriend.

That is why filmfriend is barrier-free.

Barrier-free means:

People with and without disabilities can use filmfriend.

This is our website:

• The site is easy to use.
• You can see everything clearly on the page.
• The site has a clear structure.
• You can choose whether you want to control the page with the keyboard or with the mouse.
• You can have all the texts on the page read aloud to you.
• There are sub-titles for people with hearing impairments.
• The abbreviation is SDH.
• The sub-titles can be set according to size and color.
• There are audio descriptions for people with visual impairments.
• The abbreviation is AD.
• You can fast-forward the movie if you want to skip a part.
• You can always fast-forward the movie by 10 seconds.
• This is called a 10-second skip.
• You can see several things on the screen at the same time.
• For example, you can watch a movie.
• And you can surf the Internet at the same time.
• This is called the picture-in-picture function.

We are constantly improving filmfriend.

So that filmfriend becomes even more barrier-free.

Registration

I cannot log in.

What do I have to do?

You must first be a member of a library.

It must be a library that works with filmfriend.

There is a list of these libraries on the filmfriend website.

How to find the libraries:

Open our website.

The address is:

www.filmfriend.de

Click on Log in at the top right.

There you can see which libraries work together with filmfriend.

This is how you can register:

• Open the website www.filmfriend.de.
• Click on Log in at the top right.
• Select your library.
• Enter the number of your library card and your password.

Are there any problems with registration?

Then please do the following:

• Check that you have spelled your ID number correctly.
• Check that you have spelled your passport word correctly.
• Check whether the library card is still valid.
• Ask at the library.
• Click on Contact in the main menu.
• Go to Desired contact partner.
• Select your library.

Watch movies

How much do the films cost?

If your library works with filmfriend.

And if you have a library card:

Then all movies are free for you.

Can I watch the movies on my tablet, cell phone or TV?

Yes!

You can watch filmfriend on your PC or Mac.

And on tablets and cell phones.

There is also the filmfriend app for Windows and Apple.

The following TV apps are available for TV:

• AppleTV
• FireTV
• AndroidTV

You can also use Chromecast and Airplay on the TV.

Where can I set the language and subtitle?

You can set the language and subtitles directly in your player.

Start the player.

And click on the 3 dots at the bottom right.

Download movies

Can I also download the movies?

You can also download the films in the apps for cell phones and tablets.

You then have 30 days to watch the films.

So you can watch the movies even if you don't have Internet access.

Please note:

The copying of films is prohibited.

Search movies

How does the search on filmfriend work?

On our website you will find the search function at the top right.

There is a search field.

And various filters.

Enter one or more terms in the search field.

The computer will suggest a result.

You can either select the suggested result.

A page with the movie will then open.

Or click on the arrow on the right in the search field.

A page with all matching search results will then open.

You will see all films that contain the term at least once.

If there are several terms, all terms must be included.

You will find additional filters to the left of the search results.

For example, you can select the genre.

Genre is pronounced like this: Shore.

Genre means movie art.

For example, there are children's films or comedies.

Comedies are funny movies.

If you have selected a genre:

Then you can see all movies of the genre.

For example, you will then see all comedies.

Geo-blocking

In which countries can I watch films from filmfriend?

You can normally watch filmfriend films in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

filmfriend wants to show the films all over the world.

But it's not that easy.

In such cases, you will receive a message that a movie is not available.

This is called geo-blocking.

Geo-blocking exists because different people have rights to the films.

You decide where a movie may be shown.

Support

My question was not answered.

Who can I contact?

Did you not get an answer to your question on this page?

Then you can send us an e-mail at any time.

Our e-mail address is:

support@filmfriend.de

We will answer your question as soon as possible.

The energy consumption of video streaming and the amount of CO2 emissions can basically be attributed to three factors: Data processing (in data centers), communication networks (landline, mobile) and terminal devices.

The actual energy requirement heavily depends on the quality in which videos are streamed and the devices they are consumed on. For example, CO2 emissions can range from 30 grams (smartphone, landline, 1h of video material in 720p) to 170 grams (65" TV, landline, 1h of video material in 1080p). While the share of terminal devices, in the total energy requirement for video streaming, when using a smartphone is only around 2%, it is already over 40% for a TV set. If content is requested via the mobile network, the energy requirement increases considerably.

filmfriend works with cloud-based technologies. Comparing that to a classic on-premise hosting on servers operated in-house, we can achieve up to 93% of energy savings. Our hosting partner, which operates the data centers, has been CO2-neutral since 2012 and has set themselves the goal of switching to 100% renewable energy by 2025.

Registration is only possible if you are a member of one of the participating libraries. You will find them in the selection list under "Register". 

To register, select your library on the registration form. Then enter your library card number and your password for your library account. 

If a login fails, the card number or password may be incorrect or the card may no longer be valid. To verify your library account, please contact your library via the "Contact" tab in the main menu. Select it there as "Desired contact person".

The entire catalog is free for library costumers, if their library has purchased filmfriend.

PC and Mac? Yes!

myfilmfriend is available using an internet browser on both PC and Mac computers.

Keep your computer operating system and browser up to date at all times.

Windows or macOS

• Microsoft Edge
• Firefox
• Google Chrome
• Safari

Linux:

• Firefox
• Google
• Chromium

Tablets and smartphones?

You can use filmfriend on a tablet or smartphone as well.

You can also download the Android-App from filmfriend in the Play store and the iOS-App is found in the App Store.

Streaming on mobile browser

• on Android with Chrome
• and iOS-devices with Safari

More Information at help and devices.

The most convenient way is to use the filmfriend TV-Apps:

• Apple TV (tvOS 13.0 or newer)
• Android TV
• Fire TV

You can download the Apps from the TV-App Stores, the links to download find at help and devices.

Other ways to use filmfriend on TV are as follows:

Connect your PC to the TV using an HDMI cable.

It's even easier for owners of an Apple TV (HD - formaly 4th generation - or higher) or AirPlay-compatible TV. Using the Airplay feature (not screen sync), you can stream the screen content on your iPad or iPhone wirelessly to your TV through Apple TV. 

With a Chromecast Stick or with a Chromecast-compatible TV, you can transfer your movies to the TV for Android and Apple devices and navigate from your mobile phone/tablet. Simply plug the stick into your TV and open our platform filmfriend on your mobile phone. 

Select the desired film here and press the transfer icon to the TV in the player.

More Information at help and devices.

If you are logged in, Videos that have not played all the way through are displayed on the Home screen in the "Continue Watching" strip.

If available, you can switch languages and subtitles in the player:

• Start the movie first. At the bottom right you will find three dots.
• Click on it, a selection menu appears.
• Under "Language" select the desired language and under "Subtitles" the subtitles.
• The menu items are only displayed if additional languages or subtitles are available.

You can find which films have which languages and/or subtitles as follows: 

• Open the search via the search button above
• You will find various filters under the search bar, including language and subtitle filters
• Clicking on a button for language or subtitle will open a selection list
• Clicking on the required language opens a page with all titles we offer for your selection
• On the left side you will find the filters again, in order to make a further restriction if necessary
• With the button "Reset all filters" you get back to the search

If there are subtitles, you can set size and color directly in the player:

• First start the movie. At the bottom right you will find three dots.
• Click on it and a selection menu will appear.
• Click on "Subtitle"
• Under the selection of subtitles offered you will find the settings for the font size and a choice between the colors white, yellow and green for the subtitle color.

One exception is for the Safari browser:

Safari uses the system-wide appearance for displaying subtitles. You can make changes in the Safari browser under System Preferences -> Accessibility -> Subtitles.

There are individual films in which the subtitles are "burned" directly into the picture. It is not possible to make a setting there. 

You can find which films have which languages and/or subtitles as follows: 

• Open the search via the search button above
• You will find various filters under the search bar, including language and subtitle filters
• Clicking on a button for language or subtitle will open a selection list
• Clicking on the required language opens a page with all titles we offer for your selection
• On the left side you will find the filters again, in order to make a further restriction if necessary
• With the button "Reset all filters" you get back to the search

Film ratings are made with the intent to protect children and teenagers from seeing age inappropriate content. The age classification of films in cinemas is regulated by national youth protection laws. For example, in Germany, the classification decisions are made by the Freiwillige Selbstkontrolle der Filmwirtschaft (FSK), in France, the Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée (CNC) is responsible, and in the USA, the Motion Picture Association (MPA) represents the interests of the American film and television industry in terms of youth protection in the media.

Age classifications vary due to different systems in many countries. It is important to note that an age classification is not a pedagogical recommendation. A film could be designated as not harmful to children, but its meaning may still be better understood by teenagers. It is the parents or guardians who know their child best and must decide what the child can watch.

Streaming providers must clearly indicate an age rating according to the youth protection laws (in Germany, for example, according to § 12 JMStV). However, if a film or series does not have an age classification, it can be assigned by the respective streaming service provider. filmfriend follows the guidelines of national classification bodies but also considers pedagogical criteria and seeks a balance between the cultural sensitivities of different countries – certain themes are perceived differently in different countries.

All myfilmfriend movies have age ratings. If your library has a policy regarding youth borrowing privileges, they will provide us with users ages and borrowing privileges via an encrypted channel during registration. If a user is younger than the age rating of a film, they will be unable to play the film. This also applies to movie trailers. 

PIN

You can also store a PIN for your account and set an age. Movies with an age rating above this age can then only be played when this PIN is entered. PIN and age can be changed. You can find the settings for PIN assignment in your profile area (icon at the top right next to the search).

When using our TV app on Apple TV, you remain logged in by default. You can prevent unauthorised access to filmfriend on your Apple TV using the "Restrictions" setting. To do this, set a 4-digit code in the Settings > Restrictions section, select the Restrictions for apps option and set a restriction for apps > 12 years. You can find detailed instructions on how to do this in the Apple support area. Now all users will first be asked for the 4-digit code when starting the filmfriend app. 

Please note that this may also restrict other apps on your Apple TV.

You can collect movies, series and collections in an individual watchlist. You can find the watchlist in your profile area.

You can add movies, series and collections to the Watchlist in two ways:

• Mouseover the preview images in browser and a colored icon will appear in the upper left corner. Click on this icon to add the movie, series or collection to the Watchlist.
• On the respective detail page of the film, series or collection you will find a button "Watchlist". Click this button to add the movie, series or collection to the Watchlist.

Removing movies, series and collections is also possible in several ways:

• On the respective detail page of the movie, series or collections you will find a button "Watchlist". If a movie, series or collection is already on the watchlist, the icon in the button is filled in color. By clicking on the button you can remove the movie, series or collection from the watchlist again.
• You can also remove content from the Watchlist directly in your Watchlist in your profil. With mouseover on a preview picture in browser an icon appears on the top left. Clicking on the icon removes the content from the watchlist. The next time you load the browser, the content will no longer appear in your watchlist.
• You can also remove several items from the watchlist at the same time: Above the watchlist you will find a menu item "Edit" on the right. When you click on it, small circles will appear at the top left of all content. Click on these circles to select all the content you want to remove. By clicking on the "Remove" button, all marked content will be removed and will no longer be visible after the next loading of the browser.

In your watchlist you will find a menu item "Sort" on the right above the watchlist. By clicking on this menu item you will get a selection for the sorting options "Title" or "Recently added". Select an option and click the "Apply" button. The watchlist will be sorted accordingly.

In your watchlist you will find a menu item "Share" on the right above the watchlist. By clicking on this menu item, a pop-up window will show you a public link to the watchlist, which you can copy and share. Recipients can only see the contents of your watchlist via the link. However, they cannot access your account. To play the content, recipients must each sign in with their own account.

If you want to deactivate the public link again, then also click on the "Share" menu item. In the pop-up window, you can deactivate the link by clicking the "Stop sharing" button.

In the filmfriend mobile app you can also download films temporarily for a period of up to 30 days. This allows you to use the app offline in situations where an adequate internet connection is not available. However, copying the movies is prevented by the DRM used.

iOS devices do not allow the connection of an external memory card.

With Android devices it is basically possible to use an external memory. In the filmfriend app you can choose in the "My Downloads" section via the memory icon whether the movie should be downloaded to your device or to an external memory card.

If this icon is not displayed on your device, your device does not support the standards for external storage.

Open the search page via the search button at the top right of the header and enter one or more terms in the search field. With Autocomplete, results are already suggested to you.

• Either select a suggested result: Then a page opens with the movie as search result.
• Or click on the arrow on the right in the search field. Then a page opens with all matching search results.

All films that contain the term at least once will be displayed. If there are several terms, all terms must be included (AND search).

The result display is prioritised according to how often the or all terms are contained in the title and metadata. Results in which the term(s) appear(s) in the title or in the name of a participant are given higher weighting.

If you do not receive a search result when searching for several terms, you can extend the search. All terms will then be searched individually (OR search).

To the left of the search results you will find further filters to narrow down the results if necessary.

You can find the most popular films of the month directly on the start page in the strip "Popular" or on the search page. There you will find the most popular movies and the most popular series respectively.

Additionally, you can search for popular movies/series with our filter search. To do so, open the search button on the top right. The search page opens with various filters. First select in the filter "Type" whether you are looking for popular movies or series. Click on a list entry to open a page with the filter results. To the left, you will find all the filters once again. Now select the "Popular" filter.

On the homepage you will always find the most recently released films in the strip "NEW".

Additionally, you can search for new movies/series with our filter search. To do so, open the search button on the top right. The search page opens with various filters.

First select in the filter "Type" if you are looking for new movies or series. Click on a list entry to open a page with the filter results. To the left you will find all filters again. Now select the "New" filter.

On the search page we offer various filters. You can open the search page by clicking on the search button in the upper right corner. Below the search bar, you will find various filters, including "age recommendation of the KJF", "age rating (from) and "age rating to".

Clicking on the filter "Age recommendation of the KJF" opens a list of age levels.

The filters for the age rating contain ages from 1 year to 18 years. Select either an entry for an age rating from or up to a certain age here.

Clicking on a list entry opens an overview with all filter results. To the left of the list you will find all filters again, so that you can narrow down the selection further if necessary (e.g. by genre).



Click on the button "Reset all filters" to return to the search.

On the start page you will find films on selected genres in various strips.

Additionally, you can search for genres with our filter search. To do this, open the search button at the top right. The search page opens with various filters.

Clicking on the filter "Genre" opens a selection list with all genres. After selecting a list entry, a page with the filter results opens. On the left side you will find all filters again. Here you can select additional genres to refine the search results.

Several genres can be selected simultaneously. All the films that the selection applies cumulatively will then be displayed.

On the search page we offer various filters. You can open the search page by clicking the search button on the top right. Below the search bar you will find various filters, including "Language", "Language (AD)", "Subtitles", "Subtitles for the hearing impaired".

Clicking on a filter opens a list of languages. Clicking on a list entry opens an overview with all filter results. To the left of the list you will find all filters again, in order to further limit the selection if necessary (e.g. for films with language "English" with German subtitles).



Click on the button "Reset all filters" to return to the search.

On the search page we offer various filters. You can open the search page by clicking on the search button in the upper right corner. Below the search bar you will find various filters, including "Country of production".

Clicking on the filter opens a list of countries. Clicking on a list entry opens an overview with all filter results. To the left of the list you will find all filters again, so that you can further narrow down the selection if necessary (e.g. by genre).

Click on the button "Reset all filters" to return to the search.

On the search page we offer various filters. You can open the search page by clicking on the search button in the upper right corner. Below the search bar you will find various filters, including "Release".

Clicking on the filter opens a list of annual decades. Clicking on a list entry opens an overview with all filter results. To the left of the list you will find all filters again, so that you can narrow down the selection further if necessary (e.g. by genre).

Click on the button "Reset all filters" to return to the search.

On the search page we offer various filters. You can open the search page by clicking on the search button in the upper right corner. Below the search bar you will find various filters, including "Type".

Click on the filter to open a list. Click on the list entry "Collections" to open an overview of all collections.

Click on the button "Reset all filters" to return to the search.

The licenses for movies in different countries are given by different copyright owners.

We do try to show all our movies worldwide, but that’s sometimes not possible due to copyright law.

Normally, the movies are at least available in Germany, Austria and the German-speaking part of Switzerland.

Streaming: We suggest a broadband internet connection with at least 2 Mbps (megabytes per second) data transmission rate for movies in SD quality and 6 Mbps for movies in HD-quality. Generally, streaming also works with low-speed internet.

The movie quality will adapt depending on your internet speed.

Please keep in mind that your actual Internet speed is typically less than the speed advertised by our internet provider.

In those, it’s regularly giving that the speed can ‘go up to’, which are assumed to be based on an ideal line connection. But if many households share one DSL-line, it’s a must to wipe off some of the connection on a constant basis.

There are many free options on the Internet that can test your actual Internet speed, e.g. at www.wieistmeineip.de/speedtest.