diff --git a/backend/Dockerfile b/backend/Dockerfile
index eda24a3..8a25a60 100644
--- a/backend/Dockerfile
+++ b/backend/Dockerfile
@@ -14,6 +14,12 @@ ENV PYTHONUNBUFFERED 1
 # Set work directory
 WORKDIR /app
 
+# Install system dependencies
+RUN apt-get update && apt-get install -y --no-install-recommends \
+    ffmpeg \
+    ffmpegthumbnailer \
+    && rm -rf /var/lib/apt/lists/*
+
 # --- Create a non-root user and group ---
 RUN groupadd -g $GID -o archivist && \
     useradd -u $UID -g $GID -o -m -s /bin/bash archivist