The centerpiece of this unprecedented celebration will be the definitive selection of the 100 greatest American movies of all time, as determined by more than 1,500 leaders from the American film community. With the united support of all the major film studios, 100 Years...100 Movies will be highlighted by a three-hour, prime-time entertainment special on CBS in June, 1998 during which the 100 greatest films will be revealed for the first time, followed by 10 one-hour original specials broadcast one each week for 10 consecutive weeks on Turner Network Television (TNT).

Never before has a celebration of American movies of this enormous scope been organized. Ballots were delivered by the United States Postal Service to leaders across the film community, including artists from in front of and behind the camera, critics, historians, movie executives, exhibitors, and other leaders of the American film community. Choosing from a list of 400 American movies compiled by AFI, this blue-ribbon panel has selected the 100 greatest feature films, judging such factors as critical recognition, major award winners, popularity over time, historical significance and cultural impact.

The results will be kept confidential until the three-hour, prime-time CBS special. In addition to the 10 hours of original programming on TNT that will follow the CBS special, Turner Classic Movies (TCM) is planning a cable film festival during which they will present many of the 100 movies on the AFI list.

AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies celebration will include numerous special events and activities highlighting the 100 greatest movies. Planning has commenced on theatrical re-releases, classic film festivals, consumer promotions, an interactive traveling exhibition, and a video retail promotion featuring the AFI Centennial Collection made up of the 100 greatest movies on videocassette.

AFI will be joined in this celebration of movie excellence by some of the world's most prestigious corporations, led by the Cadillac Division of General Motors.

The public will be invited to participate in 100 Years...100 Movies in the spring of 1998, when there will be an AFI-sponsored public forum for movie-goers to voice their opinions as to the top 100 American movies. Ballots will be available at this site on-line as well as at various sponsor outlets across the nation.