© Shutterstock

The birth of cinema -

The Lumière brothers, pioneers of filmmaking, opened the world's first commercial cinema in Paris in 1895. Early European films captivated audiences with their innovative techniques and compelling narratives.

© Getty Images

European takeover -

In the early 20th century, European cinema flourished. Countries like France, Germany, and Italy produced groundbreaking films. Italian cinema dazzled viewers with epic historical dramas.

© Getty Images

Franco-Italian dominance -

French filmmakers were the special effects pioneers. Illusionist Georges Méliès stunned audiences with his 1902 silent film, 'A Trip to the Moon,' which featured a rocket hitting the Moon in "its eye."

© Getty Images

A tale of two cities -

Paris and Rome became the epicenters of the global film industry. Studios in these cities attracted talented filmmakers, actors, and technicians from around the world, fueling a creative renaissance.

© Getty Images

Fierce competitors -

European cinema dominated the early 20th century, driving innovation and capturing nearly half the US market. It pioneered color film, sound, and new formats like newsreels, cartoons, and feature films—the longer films we know today.

© Getty Images

Vintage YouTube -

Before feature films became the norm, cinemagoers were treated to a variety of short films, like an old-school YouTube.

© Getty Images

The rise of Hollywood -

Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, Hollywood emerged as a filmmaking hub. But what made it so attractive?

© Shutterstock

Ideal weather conditions -

Hollywood's abundant sunlight and low rainfall made it the perfect location for year-round film production.

© Shutterstock

Diverse landscapes -

California's diverse landscapes, from beaches to mountains, are located close together, offering filmmakers a variety of stunning backdrops and efficient production.

© NL Beeld

Another piece of the puzzle -

But something (and someone) else propelled the concentration of talent that flocked to Southern California.

© Getty Images

Thomas Edison - In addition to being a prolific inventor, Edison was a savvy businessman. He held over 1,000 patents, many related to filmmaking.

© Getty Images

East exodus -

He then used these patents to form the Motion Picture Patents Company (MPPC), which established a near-monopoly over the industry. To escape the New York-based MPPC's aggressive tactics, many filmmakers fled to California. 

© Getty Images

California dreaming -

By 1915, over 60% of American film companies had relocated to Hollywood, a move that would prove to be a significant advantage.

© Getty Images

Toe-to-toe -

But the race was still tight between European and American film industries, with American entrepreneurs even drawing inspiration from European filmmaking.

© Getty Images

Money trail -

In the early 1910s, US producers noticed that American audiences were filling theaters to watch films like Italy’s 'Dante's Inferno' (1911), with its expensive historical sets and longer feature times. American producers then adopted a similar approach, leading to the feature film dominance that lingers to this day.

© NL Beeld

War strikes -

World War I disrupted the European film industry, while Hollywood continued to thrive. The war led to economic hardship and a decline in European film production.

© Getty Images

Studio system -

Hollywood's studio system, with its ties to investors and integration of production, distribution, marketing, and exhibition, allowed for efficient and profitable filmmaking.

© Getty Images

Big players -

Fox increased its film production investment from just U$92,000 in 1914 to a whopping $4 million annually just three years later—a 40-fold increase.

© Getty Images

Big players -

Backed by New York investors, Paramount merged regional distributors and a major production company, allowing for significant investment in top talent and marketing.

© Getty Images

Talent scouting -

The studio doubled its annual revenue and pioneered a new approach to filmmaking by paying top dollar for the best talent and material.

© Getty Images

A hub is born -

This strategy attracted even more filmmakers to Hollywood, transforming it into the creative hub of the 1910s.

© Getty Images

No turning back -

As economic historian Gerben Bakker notes, "The motion picture industry became the internet of the 1910s." It was the Silicon Valley of its time.

© Shutterstock

German resistance -

Despite Hollywood's rise, German cinema flourished in the 1920s. A quota system limiting the number of American films allowed to enter the country helped maintain this advantage.

© Getty Images

German hits -

Centering productions in studios like UFA, German cinema produced iconic films like 'Metropolis' (1927) and 'The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari' (1920).

© NL Beeld

The surrender -

As quotas were relaxed, German cinema struggled to compete with Hollywood. UFA, in debt, was bailed out by American studios, leading to increased distribution of American films in Germany.

© Getty Images

World War II impact - The Nazi regime further damaged German cinema by imposing strict censorship and forcing many filmmakers to flee to Hollywood. World War II devastated European film production, but the industry eventually recovered.

© Getty Images

Still no Hollywood -

Although European cinema has recovered and continues to produce successful films, why is it so difficult to create a European Hollywood?

© Getty Images

Cultural perspective -

Some argue that cultural differences between Europe and the US contribute to the dominance of Hollywood. European films may be more nuanced and less reliant on traditional storytelling conventions.

© Getty Images

Diversity -

Each country has its own specific economic needs and cultural identity, making it difficult to align them under a single banner.

© Shutterstock

United front -

Despite these challenges, organizations like the European Film Agency Directors Association are working to bring the industry closer together. Could this be the spark that ignites a European Hollywood?

Sources: (Mental Floss) (Brittanica) (Ferntv) (Studio Binder) (Screen Daily) (Economic History Association)

See also: The most popular filming locations in the world

© Getty Images