National Film Preservation Foundation
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The National Film Preservation Foundation is an American Congressionally-chartered, independent non-profit 501(c)3 foundation, established by the National Film Preservation Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-285) and reauthorized in 2005 via the Family Entertainment and Copyright Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-9). Loosely affiliated with the National Film Preservation Board, the Foundation raises money from the private sector and distributes grants funding film preservation to libraries, archives, historical societies and museums. The Foundation focuses on saving "orphan films," works not preserved by studios and other corporate interests. The term orphan film, in fact, has been the governing metaphor for American film preservation since the 1990s. Such films include silents, avant-garde titles, newsreels, independent films, ethnic films and documentaries. Since its inception the Foundation has helped save over 1,000 films held by institutions in 38 states. The Foundation also supports projects to improve access for study, access and exhibition.
