Catch a movie outside the Library of Congress this summer!
The Library of Congress will host its fourth annual “LOC Summer Movies on the Lawn” outdoor film festival this summer, starting on July 8. The series of five movies, which showcases iconic films from the Library’s National Film Registry, will be presented on Thursday evenings at sundown between July 8 and Aug. 5 on the north lawn of the Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building (10 First St. SE), across the street from the Capitol.
No tickets are required for these outdoor film screenings, but capacity will be limited. Vaccinated attendees are not required to wear masks, but the Library recommends that attendees wear masks when they are unable to maintain social distance.
Each group of attendees will be assigned a seating location that is at least 6 feet apart from other attendee groups.
The scheduled films include:
- July 8: “The Princess Bride” (2016 National Film Registry)
- July 15: “Shrek” (2020 National Film Registry)
- July 22: “Toy Story” (2005 National Film Registry)
- July 29: “The Sound of Music” *Audience Singalong* (2001 National Film Registry)
- Aug. 5: “Jurassic Park” (2018 National Film Registry)
Under the terms of the National Film Preservation Act, each year the Librarian of Congress names to the National Film Registry 25 motion pictures that are “culturally, historically or aesthetically” significant, showcasing the range and diversity of America’s film heritage to encourage support for its preservation. The films must be at least 10 years old.
The Librarian makes the annual registry selections after conferring with members of the National Film Preservation Board (NFPB) and a cadre of Library specialists. Thousands of public nominations are also considered.
More information about the National Film Registry can be found at loc.gov/film/.
Explore collections, reference services and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov, access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov, and register creative works of authorship at copyright.gov.
