The community has a chance to see films in the location they were screened at more than a century ago this weekend.The 18th Annual Brinton Film Festival is being held today and tomorrow at 7pm at the Ainsworth Opera House.

According to local historian and owner of the Brinton film collection, Michael Zahs, Washington residents Frank and Indiana Brinton toured the Midwest with the films in the 1890s and early 1900s. Some of the films are believed to be the only copies in existence and many date back to the advent of film.

A dozen of the collection’s oldest films are currently being restored. Zahs says those will be screened at the opera house in March before he takes them on a countrywide tour.

Listen to today’s In Touch with Southeast Iowa to learn more about the collection and its future.