I am beginning to compile a list of ephemeral films (advertising, educational, and industrial) of extraordinary cultural and historical significance. My aim is to assemble a list of 100 to 150 titles, with basic filmographic information and reason(s) for the importance of each one. At the moment, I am restricting the list to productions of U.S. origin. In recent years, the film preservation field has begun to focus increased attention on hitherto unappreciated genres. The new National Film Preservation Foundation plans to focus its attention on "orphan" films not controlled by major studios or production companies, and users of archival material have been enthusiastically embracing ephemeral films since the early 1980s. In compiling this list, my intention is to help inform and guide efforts to identify and preserve key works in all ephemeral film genres. I would be grateful for all suggestions, ideas, leads and opinions toward this end. The list may well contain titles not currently known to exist, and I am also concerned that it reflect a broad range of topical, regional, cultural, ethnic, and stylistic interests. Drafts of the work-in-progress will be freely available, and I plan to solicit further comment on a continuing basis. With thanks, Rick Prelinger Prelinger Archives, New York City [log in to unmask] ---- To sign off SCREEN-L, e-mail [log in to unmask] and put SIGNOFF SCREEN-L in the message. Problems? Contact [log in to unmask]