The American Film Institute was founded by a 1965 presidential mandate announced in the Rose Garden of the White House by Lyndon B. Johnson—to establish a national arts organization to preserve the legacy of American film heritage, educate the next generation of filmmakers, and honor the artists and their work.
O American Film Institute foi fundado por un mandato presidencial anunciado en 1965 no Rose Garden da Casa Branca polo entón presidente os EUA Lyndon B. Johnson, para establecer unha organización nacional das artes e preservar o legado do patrimonio do cine estadounidense, educar as seguintes xeracións de cineastas e rendir tributo aos artistas e o seu traballo.