The American Film Institute is an independent non-profit organization created by the National Endowment for the Arts, which was established in 1965 when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act. The American Film Institute focuses on training through hands-on experience with established figures, as well as on preserving old film, which is subject to degradation of its film stock. In spite of its name, AFI does not focus exclusively on film, but also on television and video.
In 1973, the AFI established a Life Achievement Award.
In 1998, the 100th aniversary of American film, AFI began its 100 Years Series, celebrating and promoting interest in film history.
They recently opened the AFI Silver theatre in Silver Spring, Maryland near Washington, DC.
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