Silent films, some of the oldest in the world, will be showcased tonight at the 21st Annual Brinton Film Festival.

The ice cream social at the Ainsworth Opera House will have some of Frank and Indiana Brinton’s silent films featured and narrated by local historian Michael Zahs. The films are from 1895-1908 and were originally shown in Ainsworth more than a century ago. The collection of films was rescued by Zahs over 30 years ago, “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.”

Doors open at 7 p.m. and ice cream and cookies will be served. Admission is a free will donation.