Kid City

In Kid City, director Jon Boorstin captures a unique educational initiative led by Frank Gehry and his sister, Doreen Gehry Nelson. The film focuses on their efforts to implement design-based learning in elementary schools in Los Angeles, aiming to engage students in a hands-on approach to education. Rather than traditional lessons, the program encourages children to create an imaginary city, fostering creativity and critical thinking.

With a runtime of just 29 minutes, this documentary is a concise exploration of educational reform and the power of artistic expression in learning. Restored in 2018 by the Academy Film Archive, Kid City provides a glimpse into the progressive educational ideas of the early 1970s. Collectors interested in documentary films, educational methods, or the works of Frank Gehry will find this film a significant piece in understanding the intersection of architecture and learning.