National Film Preservation Board

The National Film Preservation Board advises the Librarian of Congress on the selection of films for the National Film Registry, which was created to preserve films of cultural, historical, or aesthetic significance. The board reviews nominations from the public and film industry, and recommends up to 25 films each year for inclusion. The Librarian makes the final selection based on these recommendations. The board also advises on film preservation policy, including the National Film Preservation Plan, which outlines strategies for preserving America's film heritage. Its work ensures that a diverse range of films—from Hollywood classics to documentaries, avant-garde works, and home movies—are considered for preservation.

The board consists of 17 voting members appointed by the Librarian of Congress, representing various sectors of the film community, including the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Directors Guild of America, the Screen Actors Guild, the American Society of Cinematographers, and the National Society of Film Critics. Additionally, there are non-voting members from federal agencies such as the Library of Congress, the National Archives, and the Smithsonian Institution. Members serve staggered terms, ensuring continuity and a broad range of expertise. The board's composition reflects a deliberate effort to balance industry perspectives with scholarly and archival viewpoints, fostering informed and inclusive decision-making.

Each year, the board solicits nominations from the public, film scholars, and industry professionals. Nominations are compiled and reviewed by the board, which then votes on a list of recommended films. The criteria for inclusion emphasize cultural, historical, or aesthetic significance, with a focus on films that are at least ten years old. The board also considers the film's impact on American culture and its representation of the nation's diverse heritage. The final list is submitted to the Librarian of Congress, who makes the official announcement. This process has led to the inclusion of a wide array of films, from early silent era works to contemporary classics, and includes films from underrepresented communities and genres.

Beyond its well-known role in the National Film Registry, the board has been instrumental in shaping preservation policy through the National Film Preservation Foundation, which it helped establish in 1996. The foundation provides grants for preservation projects, often focusing on orphan films—works that lack copyright holders or commercial value. The board also oversees the National Film Preservation Plan, a comprehensive strategy that has been updated over the years to address challenges such as digital preservation and the loss of nitrate film. Notably, the board's recommendations have sometimes sparked controversy, as with the inclusion of films like Superman (1978) and The Goonies (1985), which some critics argued were not of the same caliber as other selections. Additionally, the board has recognized films in non-English languages, such as the Spanish-language film El Norte (1983), highlighting the diversity of American cinema.

National Film Registry

A list of films selected for preservation in the Library of Congress due to their cultural, historical, or aesthetic significance.

Orphan films

Films that lack copyright holders or commercial value, often at risk of deterioration and loss.

Nitrate film

A highly flammable film base used in early cinema, prone to decay and requiring special preservation.