July 19, 2023

Congressman Castro and Congressional Hispanic Caucus Members Seek Public Suggestions for Latino Films to Nominate to the National Film Registry

WASHINGTON — Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus are launching a nationwide call for Latino-driven films to nominate to the National Film Registry — the nation’s preeminent archive of films with cultural, historic, or aesthetic significance to life in the United States.

Films can be submitted by visiting Castro.House.gov/film. To be generally eligible, films must be at least ten years old. To be eligible for the members’ official nomination to the Library of Congress, submissions must be received by Thursday, August 3. 

“Since the earliest days of cinema, Latino actors, writers, directors, and creatives have made extraordinary contributions to American filmmaking. As the Library of Congress works to preserve the films that shaped American culture, public nominations will put a spotlight on the Latino-driven films that have sold out theaters and defined generations. As we launch this year’s push for inclusion, I look forward to hearing from folks across America about the Latino films that have made an enduring impact on their lives,” said Congressman Castro.

Every year, the Librarian of Congress adds 25 new films to the National Film Registry after reviewing titles nominated by the public and conferring with members of the National Film Preservation Board and Library film curators. Today, there are 24 Latino films on the National Film Registry — less than three percent of the 850 movies preserved. In prior years, Congressman Castro and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus led successful efforts to nominate Selena (1997) and The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez (1982) to the registry. For the full list of films previously nominated by Congressman Castro and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, click here.