Home Movies of Beverly Hills (ca. 1935-1947)
Home movies, also called amateur films, are an important part of our motion picture heritage. They capture daily life and special events from diverse points of view, and document changes in society, landscapes, and technologies. The Academy Film Archive holds over 3,000 reels of home movies, most dating from the 1920s through the 1970s. Motion picture professionals and their families shot about half of these reels, which include footage of home life, celebrations, hobbies, and travels as well as behind-the-scenes material on feature films. The Archive collects amateur films made by people whose stories have been historically underrepresented in mainstream cinema, including racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ people, and women. Our Home Movie Collection also documents Southern California throughout the years.