Report to the U. S. Congress for the Year Ending December 31, 2015
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Report to the U.S. Congress for the Year Ending December 31, 2015 Created by the U.S. Congress to Preserve America’s Film Heritage Created by the U.S. Congress to Preserve America’s Film Heritage June 15, 2016 Dr. David S. Mao Acting Librarian of Congress Washington, D.C. 20540-1000 Dear Dr. Mao: In accordance with The Library of Congress Sound Recording and Film Preservation Programs Reauthorization Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-336), I submit to the U.S. Congress the 2015 Report of the National Film Preservation Foundation. Film has documented America for more than 120 years, but it is only in the last 30 that we have rallied to save it. In 1996, Congress created the NFPF to help archives, libraries, and museums to res- cue this history and share it with the public. Thanks to federal funding secured through the Library of Congress, entertainment industry support, and the unwavering dedication of preservationists, there is much good news to report. As of 2015, the NFPF programs have preserved more than 2,230 motion pictures—newsreels, actuali- ties, cartoons, silent-era productions, avant-garde films, home movies, and other independent works that might otherwise have faded from public memory. Tremendous credit is due to the 279 cultural institutions that have tapped our programs to save culturally significant motion pictures. Once copied to film stock and safely archived, the works begin a new life through teaching, exhibition, broadcast, DVD, and the Internet. In past reports, I’ve singled out international partners that have enabled the United States to bring home 211 early American films that had not been seen in decades. In 2015, we premiered six short films on the NFPF website that survived only as fragile nitrate copies abroad. Preserved in partner- ship with the EYE Filmmuseum Netherlands and our American partner archives, this was the first group of more than 50 films that will be saved and presented online through this collaboration. Indeed, online presentation of films preserved through NFPF programs has become a priority. In 2015, the NFPF posted links to more than 100 films now available to the public for free and pre- sented two feature films in its online screening room. All this has become possible thanks to the unflagging commitment of our major supporters: the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Cecil B. De Mille Foundation, The Film Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Weissman Family Foundation. I cannot close without thanking you and your marvelous staff at the Library of Congress for assisting us with our work and making it possible for the NFPF to provide crucial support to film archives throughout the nation. Sincerely, Jeff Lambert Executive Director National Film Preservation Foundation REPORT TO THE U.S. CONGRESS FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2015 Contents 2 American Memory on Film 4 Augmenting Online Access 5 International Cooperation 6 Remembering Roger Mayer 7 Appendixes One: Films Preserved through the NFPF Two: Financial Statements Three: Contributors Who We Are Cover: Passengers aboard a Santa Fe The National Film Preservation Foundation is the indepen- Railroad train travel through Arizona’s dent, nonprofit organization created by the U.S. Congress Verde River valley in the circa-1918 travelogue Verde Canyon and the Cliff to help save America’s film heritage. Working with archives Dwellings of Arizona. With a federally and others who appreciate film, the NFPF supports activi- funded preservation grant, George ties that save films for future generations, improve film Eastman Museum made a 35mm access for education and exhibition, and increase public blowup from a 28mm print of the film. In addition to stunning images of and commitment to preserving film as a cultural resource, art from the train, the film captures the form, and historical record. Established in 1996, the NFPF prehistoric ruins that are now the site of is the charitable affiliate of the National Film Preservation Montezuma Castle National Monument. Board of the Library of Congress. NATIONAL FILM PRESERVATION FOUNDATION American Memory on Film In creating the National Film Preservation Foundation, the U.S. Congress put film pres- 2015 Grant Recipients ervation on the national agenda. The 1996 legislation laid out an innovative framework American Baptist Historical Society through which cultural institutions of all sizes Anthology Film Archives Biodiversity Research Institute could play their part in rescuing films impor- Black Film Center/Archive, tant to our history. Now, 20 years later, the Indiana University results speak for themselves—2,230 films Center for Home Movies saved and made available by 279 American Center for Visual Music organizations assisted through NFPF pro- Chicago Film Archives grams. Audiences across all 50 states, the Crow Indians on the Jesus Trail (ca. 1942–43), pre- served by the American Baptist Historical Society. Emory University District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico see George Eastman Museum preserved films in the classroom, through Herbert Hoover Presidential Library exhibitions, and via DVD and the Internet. Foundation. Charged with advancing the and Museum With two decades of preservation work “preservation and accessibility of the nation’s Hoover Institution, behind us, it is worth remembering why the film heritage,” the NFPF received federal Stanford University groundbreaking legislation that created matching funds through the Library of Montana Historical Society the NFPF came about. Congress to preserve American films here Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium In 1993, the Librarian of Congress and abroad and to serve as an incentive for National Museum of African alerted Congress that motion pictures were donors. Congress has since increased the American History & Culture disintegrating faster than archives could save NFPF’s authorization twice, in 2005 and New Mexico State Records Center them. The works most at risk were not the in 2008. and Archives well-known entertainments or commercial Encouraged by this legislative action, New York University blockbusters but culturally significant docu- organizations once considered too small to North Scituate Public Library mentaries, silent-era works, home movies, take on preservation projects have begun saving Northeast Historic Film avant-garde films, newsreels, industrials, and films and sharing them with the public. Film Northwest Chicago Film Society independent productions that were hidden preservation has taken root across the nation, Oregon Historical Society away in nonprofit and public organizations and as digital access becomes easier, more and Silver Bow Art across the country. These films showed an more preserved films are presented online, SUNY Binghamton America full of energy and optimism, a land expanding access for research, teaching, and Temenos of communities and families shaped through sheer enjoyment by film and history buffs. Texas Archive of the Moving Image innovation and cultural celebration. While In 2015, sixty-four films were selected Trisha Brown Dance Company Tulane University, overlooked, these movies have been safe- for preservation through NFPF grants. Judg- Amistad Research Center guarded by cultural institutions throughout ing by the titles being saved, the congressional UCLA Film & Television Archive the nation. Thanks to this stewardship, the commitment to expanding the reach of film University of Alaska Fairbanks real-life cinema captured by individuals living preservation continues to bear fruit. Among University of Arizona in America survives to be seen again. the films slated for preservation are Ambas- University of California, Unfortunately, for many years film sadors in Levis (ca. 1970), about the Tucson Los Angeles preservation remained the purview of only Arizona Boys Chorus; corporate films about University of Pennsylvania the largest archives, those with the resources the Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Washington University in St. Louis and knowledge to save their historical hold- Company, for many years the only African Wayne State University ings. So Congress asked the Library and its American–owned corporation in California; Wende Museum National Film Preservation Board to figure the first student works by animator Frank Yale Film Study Center out a more inclusive approach. From their Mouris, whose Frank Film won the Oscar work grew a new public-private collabo- for best animated short film in 1974; Jud ration, the National Film Preservation Yalkut’s John Cage Mushroom Hunting in 2 2015 REPORT Stony Point (1972–73); two mid-century Although federal dollars fuel the films sponsored by the Montana Aeronautics NFPF grants, we sustain operations through Commission; and home movies of President other sources. Dedicated contributors— On the Screen Herbert Hoover and his family, the 1944 the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Republican National Convention, Winston Sciences, the Cecil B. De Mille Foundation, Churchill in Cuba, and the Santa Fe Fiesta. the Marmor Foundation, the James and NFPF grants went to 35 archives, Theodore Pedas Family Foundation, the historical societies, libraries, and museums Weissman Family Foundation, Combined of varying sizes, geographic areas, and special- Federal Campaign donors, and many more— izations. Most awards were modest—between fund our daily work. A special thanks goes to $3,000 and $10,000; all were matched by staff The Film Foundation, which has supported time and other costs contributed by recipients; us since the very beginning.