Austrian cinematography evolved in parallel to the other European cinematographies, since the Lumiere brothers presented to the world their wonderful invention – the cinematograph. The first recorded Austrian film company, which went down in history as Wiener Kunstfilm, commenced production in 1910, and this point is often referred to as the starting point of Austrian cinema. Already two years later the rival company, Sacha-Film, was founded. The specific characteristics of the Austrian cinema can be seen as being closely connected with the history of the country.