Ainsworth Opera House – Photo by Sally Y. Hart

Some of the world’s oldest films will be shown in Ainsworth this weekend.

The 21st Annual Ainsworth Brinton Film Festival and Ice Cream Social is being held Friday and Saturday. The films selected will be shown in the century-old Ainsworth Opera House. The collection of Brinton films was rescued over three decades ago by local historian Michael Zahs, “We’re so close to it, that I don’t think we understand how much of a world wide importance it is. And how much it is part of everybody’s history. And even if you’re not interested in film, it shows what people were like 120 years ago. Hopefully, 120 years from now there’ll be something that’ll showcase us like we’re showcasing people from then.”

Zahs was recently the subject of a documentary called Saving Brinton which details his work with the collection of antique films and Magic Lantern slides. The materials that once belonged to Frank and Indiana Brinton’s, including projectors, were nearly thrown away and are now being recognized as important finds in early film history.

The film festival will be held at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday evenings and admission is a freewill donation.