Each year since 1989, the National Film Preservation Board at the Public Moving Image Archive and Research Centers has selected 25 new films to collect, restore, preserve and archive permanently. I know. Sounds exciting, eh? But stay with me: this is amazing. And important.

Unlike the popularity contest that is the Golden Globes or the slightly-more-distinguished popularity contest that is the Academy Awards, the National Film Preservation Board selects films based on their importance. But this isn’t some hoity-toity ivory tower academic process and, when you think about it, part of a film’s importance might be its popularity, right? In fact, the NFPB accepts nominations and suggestions from the common folk and films like Back to the Future (1985) are included because people like me and you petitioned them.

This year’s (2011) list is representative of the 550 films that have been added since the collection was founded in 1989, with popular films like Forrest Gump (1994) and Bambi (1942) making the cut, as well as “important” films like a very early Pixar animation of a hand (from 1972...this was also added as a result of a non-board member's suggestion) and some home movies from two brothers from the 1930s and 1940s. Why are those later films considered important? You’d have to ask the Registry’s board, but I think the breadth of their selections make the archive much more interesting than a simple popularity contest and more valuable than the Academy’s selections. For example, did you know that Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey was not even nominated for the Best Picture Oscar in 1968 (Rachel, Rachel was, however, and Oliver! won)? Sure, it may not be a film that everyone likes, but it’s impossible to deny its influence and importance and that's why it is in the archive.

The work of the National Film Preservation Board is entertainingly documented in the recent film These Amazing Shadows (2011 - available on Netflix instant watch). With tons of clips from the various films in the Archive, interviews with actual board members, working film preservationist and celebrity guests (John Waters and Rob Reiner are particularly funny), this is a Must Watch doc for film buffs and folks that like movies: in other words, everyone. Go watch it. And then go to the Film Preservation Board's website, browse their list and angrily e-mail them to correct the terrible slight of not including your favorite Star Trek or Twilight movie in the archives!

References:
http://www.loc.gov/film/filmnfr.html
http://www.loc.gov/film/registry_titles_latest.php
http://www.loc.gov/film/vote.html
http://www.theseamazingshadows.com