ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

National Film Preservation Act

Okay kiddo, so let’s say you have a favorite toy that you always want to play with. But sometimes, toys can get lost or broken and you might not be able to play with it anymore. The same thing can sometimes happen to movies too! Over time, movies can get lost or damaged and we might never be able to watch them again.

That’s why the National Film Preservation Act was created. It is like a special helper for movies. The Act makes sure that important movies are saved and protected for people to watch in the future.

The Act was made in 1988 by the United States government. It helps people understand how important movies are and why it’s very valuable to preserve them. The Act sets up a group of people who are called the National Film Preservation Board. This group is responsible for picking important movies for the National Film Registry.

The National Film Registry is like a big hall of fame for movies. If a movie is chosen to be on this list, it means that it is very special and important. The group looks for movies that have cultural or historical importance, movies that tell important stories, and movies that people really love.

Once a movie is chosen for the National Film Registry, it becomes a part of history. The movies are taken care of like they are special treasures. They are stored in special places where they are protected from things like dust, water, and heat. This way, people like you and me can watch them and learn from them forever!