"In 1988, the Library of Congress passed the National Film Preservation Act, and thus established the National Film Preservation Board. The law authorizes the Librarian of Congress to select and preserve up to 25 films each year to add to the National Film Registry.
The films in the National Film Registry represent a stunning range of American filmmaking - including Hollywood features, documentaries, avant-garde and amateur productions, films of regional interest, ethnic, animated and short film subjects -- all deserving recognition, preservation and access by future generations.
As of 2007, there were 475 films selected. The films that are selected must meet two criteria:
they must be culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant
they must be at least ten years old.
The selection takes place after the Librarian of Congress reviews public suggestions and consults with film experts and the 40 members (and alternates) of the National Film Preservation Board.
For each title named to the Registry, the Library of Congress works to ensure that the film is preserved for all time, either through the Library's massive motion picture preservation program at Dayton, Ohio, or through collaborative ventures with other archives, motion pictures studios, and independent film makers."
(extracts from
www.filmsite.org, describing the US Library of Congress' National Film Registry)
In an ideal world, our film heritage (which not so long ago was in the league of Hollywood, Hongkong, and Bollywood movie industries in terms of productivity and vibrancy) deserve and should have this similar kind of preservation efforts.
Productions as varied as Casablanca,Star Wars, and the Zapruder film (a footage of JFK's assassination) are already included in the list.
What titles will be in your lists for inclusion in a National Film Registry,Philippine version?
