Since 2021, the Cologne Filmhaus has operated under the name Filmhaus Köln. The Cologne Filmhaus was founded in 1981 as a “Center for Media Education, Cinema Culture, and Filmmaking in Cologne,” organized by the association Kölner Filmhaus e. V. From 1998 onward, it was based in the former administrative building of the freight station at Cologne’s Mediapark. At its peak, with more than 400 members, Kölner Filmhaus e. V. was the largest independent initiative of filmmakers and film enthusiasts in Germany. In 2012, the association filed for insolvency and was dissolved. The listed building was subsequently renovated. In November 2012, the newly established association Neues Kölner Filmhaus e. V. took up its work, focusing exclusively on independent filmmaking and workshops. The association carried out a wide range of activities. It organized seminars and training programs, operated an equipment rental service, and supported young filmmakers in its production workshop. In addition, it hosted the International Short Film Festival Cologne – Short Cuts Cologne, founded in 1998 by Stephan Sarasi and held there for many years. The Filmhaus also ran its own in-house cinema. The production workshop is now continued by the new association Neues Kölner Filmhaus e. V.