The Lumière brothers, Auguste and Louis, were pioneering French filmmakers born in the 1860s. They are best known for inventing the Cinématographe, a motion picture camera and projector, which allowed for the first public screenings of films. Their work marked the beginning of the film industry as we know it today. In 1895, the Lumière brothers held their first public screening in Paris, showcasing short films like "La Sortie de l'Usine Lumière à Lyon." Their innovative approach to filmmaking and storytelling laid the groundwork for future directors and filmmakers, making them key figures in the history of cinema.