The National Film Registry (Nfr), which seeks to preserve “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant” American films in their original state, was created in 1988 in response to the relatively new practice of altering films, such as editing them for television broadcasts and colorizing black and white films.
Each year, the public nominates thousands of films and the Librarian of Congress, after consulting with the National Film Preservation Board and Library film curators, selects 25 to be added to the registry.
To be eligible, a film must have been produced or co-produced by an American company or individual and must be at least 10 years old.
Currently, there are 850 films on the registry; last year’s inductees include well-known classics such as Carrie, 1988’s Hairspray, The Little Mermaid, When Harry Met Sally, and House Party, major modern movies like Iron Man, and important but lesser-known films such as Haile Gerima’s Bush Mama and Robert Nakamura’s short Manzanar.
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