The American Film Institute got its start in 1975 on the recommendation of the National Endowment for Arts and Humanities and legislation signed by then President, Lyndon Johnson. With funding from the NEA, the Motion Picture Association of America, and the Ford Foundation (a non-profit organization created in 1936 by Edsel Ford, son of Ford Motors founder, Henry Ford), the AFI enlisted leading actors, filmmakers, and educators of the day to train new filmmakers in the art. Today, AFI maintains a world-renowned Conservatory, an Education Center, and an extensive catalog of Feature Films.

The AFI also maintains standing Top 10 and Top 100 lists of the Greatest Films of All Time. The most recent entry into the Top 10 list was from 1993, Schindler’s List, but I’m hoping 2007’s Superbad is going to crack the list in this year’s voting. The top 100 includes 2001’s Lord of the Rings (#50). The list are voted on yearly and the nomination list is already available for 2008. AFI site membership is free, but full Institute membership begins at $50 and includes access to databases, a commemorative booklet, a magazine, and tickets to the film festivals. Larger contributions will net tickets to the annual AFI Life Achievement Award Tribute Gala.

http://www.afi.com/