The National Film Registry of the Library of Congress today announced that Precious Images, the DGA-commissioned 1986 film by director Chuck Workman, was named by Librarian of Congress James H. Billington to the National Film Registry as one of 2009's "25 motion pictures that will be preserved as cultural, artistic and/or historical treasures for generations to come."
Precious Images was commissioned by the DGA to commemorate its 50th anniversary as part of a year of celebration. The film went on to win the Academy Award for Best Short Film, Live Action.
"Chuck Workman's legendary compilation film to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Directors Guild of America is also a dazzling celebration of the first near-century of American cinema," the announcement said. "The pioneer of rapid-fire film history montages, Precious Images contains in the space of seven short minutes nearly 500 clips from classic films spanning the years 1903-1985. It became the most influential and widely shown short film in history.”
The National Film Preservation Act calls for the Librarian of Congress to annually name 25 films to the registry that are "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant to be preserved for all time. With the inclusion of this year’s selections, the total number of films in the National Film Registry is 525.
"Established by Congress in 1989, the National Film Registry spotlights the importance of protecting America’s matchless film heritage and cinematic creativity," Librarian Billington said. "By preserving the nation's films, we safeguard a significant element of our cultural patrimony and history."
