On October 11, 1996, Congress passed and the President signed into law the National Film Preservation Act of 1996. The law stemmed from almost a decade of professional and legislative concern over preserving an important national heritage. This research examines the problems which gave rise to these concerns and the legislative history attempting to resolve these problems. The 1996 Act is then analyzed in detail for its impact on American films and the political machinations that went into its making.
National Film Preservation Act of 1996
The National Film Preservation Act of 1996, passed by Congress and signed by President Clinton on October 11, 1996, proposes to do two things. Title I reauthorizes the National Film Preservation Board, retained from a 1992 legislation for four years, to continue the work already begun on the implementation of the national film preservation plan for another seven years. The work includes selecting up to 25 "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant films" each year for the National Film Registry and obtaining archival material on those titles for collection in the Library of Congress.
Title II proposes the establishment of the National Film Preservation Foundation whose objective will be to raise funds for the national film preservation plan and to ôpromote preservation of and public access to the American film heritage.ö An annual appropriation of $250,000 will be maintained and Title II allows the foundation to accept and match small gifts with Federal funds not exceeding $250,000 per year. David Francis, librarian, is hopeful, however, that the amount raised before the bill kicks in October 1999 will up the ante and more money will be appropriated in the year 2000 (Smith, 1997, p. 5).
The Act contains several different key features. The Library of Congress (advised by National Film Preservation Board) will continue implementation of the national film preservation plan ...