This history of animated films could go up in flames at any time unless we do what we can to prevent that. While some large Hollywood studios (Disney, Warner Bros., etc) carefully protect their animated past - some classic animation has fallen through the cracks. Independent studios go out of business, laboratory fires, films falling into public domain - these are among the many situations that have left numerous cartoons orphaned, with no owner or champion to bring them back to life, to allow them to be seen again.

Highly flammable nitrate film stock used by the motion picture industry prior to 1950 inevitably decomposes over time. Because of this, many films are in danger of disappearing forever unless they can be transferred to modern 35mm safety film.

Archives exist on donations - usually earmarked to preserve important live action feature films, newsreels, and historic footage - animation is low on the priority list.

That is where ASIFA-Hollywood comes in. As a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of the art of animation, we cannot let these films be lost to future audiences. To ensure this does not happen, the Animation Preservation Project seeks out, finds, preserves, and restores those animated films. We endeavor to make animation fans and the general public aware of the need for preservation.

ASIFA-Hollywood has worked extensively with the UCLA Film and Television Archive, The Library of Congress and The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to preserve choice examples of neglected and formerly lost animated cartoons. Annual screenings in Los Angeles (and at various Festivals around the world) show off our efforts on an annual basis.

If you have animated films on nitrate stock in your possession that you think might be rare or unique, please contact ASIFA-Hollywood. We will evaluate the status and condition of the films and, if we determine the items are in need of preservation, will do everything we can to ensure this happens.

Much more remains to be done. We hope you will join us in helping to safeguard these neglected treasures of the past. And we thank you in advance for your help in saving animation for the future.

For more information on this program, please feel free to contact us via email at info@asifa-hollywood.org.