The Library of Congress
http://www.loc.gov/today/pr/2011/11-240.html
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Librarian of Congress James H. Billington today selected 25 films to be preserved as cultural, artistic, and historical treasures in the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress. Included in the selections were the 1991 The Silence of the Lambs (winner of Academy Awards for Best Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, and Adapted Screenplay) and Byron Haskin’s 1953 classic War of the Worlds.
Spanning the period 1912-1994, the films named to the registry include Hollywood classics, documentaries, animation, home movies, avant-garde shorts, and experimental motion pictures. Representing the rich creative and cultural diversity of the American cinematic experience, this year’s selections bring the number of films in the registry to 575.
Under the terms of the National Film Preservation Act, each year the Librarian of Congress names 25 films to the National Film Registry that are “culturally, historically, or aesthetically” significant. “These films are selected because of their enduring significance to American culture,” said Billington. “Our film heritage must be protected because these cinematic treasures document our history and culture and reflect our hopes and dreams.”
For the full list, which also includes Robert Rodriguez’s El Mariachi (1992) and Walt Disney’s beloved Bambi, click the below Library of Congress link.