Established 1917 when the German government owned most of the nation’s leading studios, UFA aimed to promote German culture to enhance Germany’s international image after World War I. These studios were highly equipped and some of the most modern in the world, producing some of the most artistically outstanding and technically competent films in the silent era.

In 1927 UFA was on the brink of financial ruin. However, the company was purchased by Alfred Hugenberg. He was a future Hitler supporter who forced the company to devote itself to promoting German nationalism, which proved popular during Nazi Germany. However, the rising production costs and a shrinking international market meant that in 1945 after the wars end the company closed down. A new UFA company was launched in 1956, but eventually went bankrupt.