National Film Registry

The 1959 film of "Porgy and Bess," starring Sidney Poitier and Dorothy Dandridge, as well as "The Silence of the Lambs," "Forrest Gump" and Charlie Chaplin's "The Kid" are among the 2011 films inducted into the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress.

Librarian of Congress James H. Billington announced the 25 films added to the catalogue based on cultural, historic or aesthetic significance. "These films are selected because of their enduring significance to American culture," Billington said in a statement. "Our film heritage must be protected because these cinematic treasures document our history and culture and reflect our hopes and dreams."

It was also announced that "These Amazing Shadows," the 2011 documentary film about the Registry, will air as part of PBS' "Independent Lens" series Dec. 29, 2011.

Here's a look at the 2011 films inducted into the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress: "Allures" (1961); "Bambi" (1942); "The Big Heat" (1953); "A Computer Animated Hand" (1972); "Crisis: Behind a Presidential Commitment" (1963); "The Cry of the Children" (1912); "A Cure for Pokeritis" (1912); "El Mariachi" (1992); "Faces" (1968); "Fake Fruit Factory" (1986); "Forrest Gump" (1994); "Growing Up Female" (1971); "Hester Street" (1975); "I, an Actress" (1977); "The Iron Horse" (1924); "The Kid" (1921); "The Lost Weekend" (1945); "The Negro Soldier" (1944); "Nicholas Brothers Family Home Movies" (1930s-1940s); "Norma Rae" (1979); "Porgy and Bess" (1959); "The Silence of the Lambs" (1991); "Stand and Deliver" (1988); "Twentieth Century" (1934); and "War of the Worlds" (1953).