view - National Film Preservation Foundation

Created by the U.S. Congress to
Preserve America’s Film Heritage
April 8, 2005
Dr. James H. Billington
The Librarian of Congress
Washington, D.C. 20540-1000
Dear Dr. Billington:
In accordance with Public Law 104-285 (Title II), The National Film Preservation Foundation Act of
1996, I submit to the U.S. Congress the 2004 Report of the National Film Preservation Foundation.
It gives me great pleasure to review our accomplishments in carrying out this Congressional mandate.
Since commencing service to the archival community in 1997, we have helped save 730 historically
and culturally significant films from 112 institutions across 36 states, the District of Columbia, and
Puerto Rico. We have produced two award-winning DVD sets and published The Film Preservation
Guide: The Basics for Archives, Libraries, and Museums, the first such primer for American public and
nonprofit collections. Unseen for decades, motion pictures preserved through our programs are now
extensively used in study and exhibition.
In 2005, Congress will consider reauthorizing our federal grant program for four more years. More
archives, libraries, and museums request help each year, and federal investment will enable us to better
serve these institutions. We remain deeply grateful for your indefatigable efforts in Washington on
behalf of film preservation and applaud your leadership.
Space does not permit acknowledging all those supporting our efforts in 2004, but I would like to
mention several organizations that played an especially important role: the National Endowment
for the Humanities, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and
Sciences, The Film Foundation, the Creative Artists Agency, the Directors Guild, MGM, the Cecil B.
De Mille Foundation, and Sterling Vineyards ® .
Film preservation is fast becoming a shared national responsibility. We thank Congress for fostering
an environment in which government, foundations, industry, and private citizens work together
toward this common goal.
Sincerely,
Roger L. Mayer
Chairman, Board of Directors, National Film Preservation Foundation
President and COO, Turner Entertainment Company