Congressman Joaquin Castro and members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus have issued a nationwide call for Latino films to be nominated for the National Film Registry.
America’s preeminent archive of films with cultural, historical, or aesthetic significance is essential to the preservation of cinema. Each year, the Librarian of Congress adds 25 new films to the registry after reviewing titles submitted by the public and speaking with members of the National Film Preservation Board and library film curators. In 2023, there are 24 Latin films on the National Film Registry, less than three percent of the registry’s 850 films.
“From the earliest days of motion pictures, Latino actors, writers, directors, and creators have made extraordinary contributions to American cinema,” Congressman Castro said. “As the Library of Congress strives to preserve the films that have shaped American culture, the public nominations will shine a light on Latin films that have sold theaters and defined generations. As we kick off this year’s inclusion campaign, I look forward to hearing from people across America about Latino films that have had a lasting impact on their lives.
More recently, the NFR added: “Cyrano de Bergerac” (1950), with Puerto Rican actor José Ferrer, the first Latino to win an Oscar for acting, and “The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez” (1982) with Edward James Olmos. Other notable inclusions are “West Side Story” (1961), “La Bamba” (1987), “Selena” (1997), and “Real Women Have Curves” (2002).
To be eligible, films must be at least 10 years old. To be eligible for Library of Congress nominations, submissions must be received by August 3.
Among the titles the Library of Congress might consider are Guillermo del Toro’s adult fantasy drama “Pan’s Labyrinth” (2006), Peter Sollet’s independent New York film “Raising Victor Vargas” (2002) and the chef- of passage to adulthood by Alfonso Cuarón “Y tu mamá aussi” (2002).
Suggestions can be submitted to Congressman Castro’s website.