US Library of Congress Film Registry

Significant and Classic Movies Preserved in Film Vault

Jan 3, 2009

The United States Library of Congress is ensuring that movies that showcase the best and most significant aspects of the American film experience will be preserved.

In 2008, the US National Film Registry has celebrated its twentieth year of protecting and preserving significant American films. The Registry now contains 500 films considered to be significant “culturally, historically or aesthetically”.

Why Have a National Film Registry?

The National Film Preservation Act stipulates that the US Library of Congress should select 25 films each year to be preserved in their film vault. These films are not necessarily chosen as the best American films, but rather those that have made significant and lasting contributions to American culture.

Librarian of Congress, James H. Billington, says that America has lost “about half of the films produced before 1950 and as much as 90 percent of those made before 1920”. Nitrate and acetate based films are continuing to deteriorate with the passage of time.

Films selected for the Film Registry are preserved through the Library’s motion picture preservation program or through the combined efforts of the Library and motion picture studios, archives or other organisations.

Films Preserved by the US Library of Congress

In 2008 a further 25 films have been added to the Film Registry. These include The Invisible Man (1933), the first American movie serial The Perils of Pauline (1914) starring Pearl White and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s science fiction classic The Terminator (1984).

The 500 films now stored in the vault cover a range of genres and styles and include films made since the early 1890s. The complete list of films is available from the Library of Congress and includes a range of classics, science fiction, musicals, drama, comedy, animations and others such as:

Nominate Films for the US National Film Registry

Members of the public can nominate films to be considered for inclusion in the US Library of Congress Film Registry. Each year 25 films are added to the Registry to be preserved for future generations.

Public votes contribute significantly to the selection process for choosing new entries for the Registry. The final decision is made by the Librarian, after consideration of public nominations and considerable consultation with the National Film Preservation Board and the Library’s motion picture staff.

Nominations are not restricted to professional films, with the 2008 winners including a 1956 home movie, Disneyland Dream, and a 1973 student film, No Lies.

Individuals can nominate up to 50 films each year. Submissions details are available on the US Library of Congress website .

Congress Sanctioned National Film Registry

Originally established by Congress in 1989 and reauthorised in September 2008 by the Library of Congress Sound Recording and Film Preservation Programs Reauthorization Act of 2008, the US Government and the Library of Congress are working to ensure that American’s film heritage will be preserved and maintained for the enjoyment and benefit of future generations.

The copyright of the article US Library of Congress Film Registry in Film/TV Industry is owned by Susan Whelan. Permission to republish US Library of Congress Film Registry in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.