Just like the film pioneers that came before us, the mission of the Farm to Film Fest (F2F) is to engage and entertain audiences through film and to inspire thought-provoking conversation.
Washington is the home of the historic State Theatre, the longest continuously operating movie theater in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records. Frank Brinton, one of the earliest exhibitors of movies and magic lantern slides in the world, was a resident of the City of Washington. He and his wife, Indiana, traveled the Midwest showcasing films to captive audiences throughout the 1890's and into the 1900's. They tested the newest technology on fascinated audiences here in Washington, inspiring our love of films starting in 1897 at the still active State Theatre.
The F2F continues this rich heritage with its FOURTH annual festival April 18 & 19, 2026 with films shown at the Historic State Theatre as well as other local establishments all within walking distance of eachother. Participants will enjoy a diverse array of film genres to choose from throughout the weekend. Thank you to our Board of Directors for their work in making this festival come to life!
If you'd like to see us continue to bring this amazing weekend to Washington, please consider making a donation!
Washington is the home of the historic State Theatre, the longest continuously operating movie theater in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records. Frank Brinton, one of the earliest exhibitors of movies and magic lantern slides in the world, was a resident of the City of Washington. He and his wife, Indiana, traveled the Midwest showcasing films to captive audiences throughout the 1890's and into the 1900's. They tested the newest technology on fascinated audiences here in Washington, inspiring our love of films starting in 1897 at the still active State Theatre.
The F2F continues this rich heritage with its FOURTH annual festival April 18 & 19, 2026 with films shown at the Historic State Theatre as well as other local establishments all within walking distance of eachother. Participants will enjoy a diverse array of film genres to choose from throughout the weekend. Thank you to our Board of Directors for their work in making this festival come to life!
If you'd like to see us continue to bring this amazing weekend to Washington, please consider making a donation!
A letter from our President on the history of film in Washington...
Frank & Indiana Brinton |
Saving Brinton |
Michael Zahs |
Michael Zahs, local historian from Washington, Iowa, is responsible for achieving recognition in the Guinness World Records for the historic State Theatre, and bringing to life the Brinton Films in Washington, Iowa.
The State Theatre, currently owned and operated by Fridley Theatres, R.L. Fridley Theatres, Inc. was formed as an Iowa corporation in 1974. Founder, Robert L. Fridley, has been a prominent leader in the motion picture theatre exhibition business for over 60 years.
The State Theatre, formerly known as The Graham Opera House, has been in operation since 1893. It was certified in the Guinness World Records in April 2016, through the efforts of local historian Michael Zahs, with assistance of other local Washington residents.
The oldest continuously operating cinema in the entire world will host the 3rd annual International Film Festival, Farm to Film Fest, in Washington, Iowa, on Saturday, April 12 and Sunday, April 13, 2025, at the historical State Theatre.
The Brinton Collection is a collection of early moving pictures that was used by Frank and Indiana Brinton for their traveling shows in the U.S. Midwest from Texas to Minnesota throughout the 1890s and into the 1900s. The shows featured magic lantern slides, sound recordings, and moving pictures when they became available in 1896. Historical records show that Frank Brinton began his shows in the late 1870s which included the West Chester Church as a venue.
The Brinton Collection of films was unknown until Michael Zahs found the mass of magic lantern slides, projectors, sound recordings, and a wealth of paper documents including catalogs located in a basement and then proceeded to salvage the collection, which included some 140 moving pictures. Through the assistance of the University of Iowa Libraries and Library of Congress, the potentially explosive slides and moving pictures were digitized and the film, Saving Brinton, was produced. Some of the Brinton Collection has now been shown world-wide in some 20 different countries through the efforts of former history teacher, Michael Zahs, as his unlimited passion for history continues.
Farm to Film Fest was organized May 10, 2022, and incorporated December 8, 2022, to honor and pay tribute to the local history of the State Theatre, the Brinton Films, and to promote the arts in Washington, Iowa.
-Lyle Moen, President, Farm to Film Fest
The State Theatre, currently owned and operated by Fridley Theatres, R.L. Fridley Theatres, Inc. was formed as an Iowa corporation in 1974. Founder, Robert L. Fridley, has been a prominent leader in the motion picture theatre exhibition business for over 60 years.
The State Theatre, formerly known as The Graham Opera House, has been in operation since 1893. It was certified in the Guinness World Records in April 2016, through the efforts of local historian Michael Zahs, with assistance of other local Washington residents.
The oldest continuously operating cinema in the entire world will host the 3rd annual International Film Festival, Farm to Film Fest, in Washington, Iowa, on Saturday, April 12 and Sunday, April 13, 2025, at the historical State Theatre.
The Brinton Collection is a collection of early moving pictures that was used by Frank and Indiana Brinton for their traveling shows in the U.S. Midwest from Texas to Minnesota throughout the 1890s and into the 1900s. The shows featured magic lantern slides, sound recordings, and moving pictures when they became available in 1896. Historical records show that Frank Brinton began his shows in the late 1870s which included the West Chester Church as a venue.
The Brinton Collection of films was unknown until Michael Zahs found the mass of magic lantern slides, projectors, sound recordings, and a wealth of paper documents including catalogs located in a basement and then proceeded to salvage the collection, which included some 140 moving pictures. Through the assistance of the University of Iowa Libraries and Library of Congress, the potentially explosive slides and moving pictures were digitized and the film, Saving Brinton, was produced. Some of the Brinton Collection has now been shown world-wide in some 20 different countries through the efforts of former history teacher, Michael Zahs, as his unlimited passion for history continues.
Farm to Film Fest was organized May 10, 2022, and incorporated December 8, 2022, to honor and pay tribute to the local history of the State Theatre, the Brinton Films, and to promote the arts in Washington, Iowa.
-Lyle Moen, President, Farm to Film Fest
Board of Directors 2024-2025
|
Lyle Moen, President
Rick Loula, Vice President Melinda Lord, Treasurer, Festival Director Nancy Rash, Secretary Ed Chabal Lorraine Williams Lynn Loula, Media Coordinator Samantha Meyer, Media Specialist Michael Zahs, Advisor |