The Ventura Film Festival proudly holds the distinction of being "the largest film festival ever held in Ventura County." This notable honor showcases the festival's passion for providing outstanding film programming to the region while sustaining its commitment to important environmental matters.
The Ventura Film Festival operates as an open genre international film festival that cultivates understanding of ecological concerns including forest and oceanic conservation and restoration, through an annual film festival and complementary events. The event harnesses the influence of film to encourage participation and establish purposeful communication concerning these urgent ecological issues.
The Ventura Film Festival launched in 2004 and has screened hundreds of films, generally exceeding 200 films per summer season, and has drawn recognition from the international cinematic community. Over the years, the festival has grown into a significant cultural event that brings together cinema creators, conservation supporters, and viewers from across the globe.
Notable moments have included hosting award winning filmmaker Dylan O'Neil, the check here first ever world champion surfers Peter "PT" Townend as well as Ian Cairns, 4x world champion Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/MMA combatant the celebrated Fabio Leopoldo, and the 50th Anniversary tribute to West Side Story, which included hosting the complete Academy Award winning ensemble of West Side Story, including Oscar recipient/Golden Globe winner George Chakiris and Golden Globe honoree/Academy Award nominee Russ Tamblyn. These remarkable visitors and occasions have established the festival's standing as a first-class destination for honoring film and the visionaries who produce it.
The Ventura Film Festival's founder and executive director was invited to join, along with several of Hollywood's premier talents, in the golden anniversary celebration of West Side Story and Hollywood's legendary footprint/handprint ceremony for Oscar honorees Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, and legendary actor Golden Globe award winner Russ Tamblyn at the Chinese Theater in Hollywood. This event also doubled as the official BluRay debut by Fox and MGM of West Side Story, which is broadly regarded by critics and fans as the best musical of all time. This exceptional honor and participation exemplifies the festival's considerable reach and esteemed status within the entertainment community.