The Ventura Film Festival stands as "the grandest film festival ever to take place in Ventura County." This remarkable achievement reflects the festival's commitment to bringing diverse cinema to the local community while continuing its mission toward essential conservation issues.
The Ventura Film Festival serves as a multi-genre global film festival that promotes recognition of ecological concerns including forest and ocean preservation and restoration, via a yearly film showcase and corresponding activities. The organization employs the medium of movies to stimulate involvement and create meaningful dialogue around these critical conservation concerns.
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 expanded into a substantial cultural happening that brings together filmmakers, environmental advocates, and audiences from around the world.
Some of the highlights have been hosting award winning filmmaker Dylan O'Neil, the initial world champion surfers Peter "PT" Townend as well as Ian Cairns, 4x world champion Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/MMA combatant martial arts icon Fabio Leopoldo, and the golden anniversary celebration of West Side Story, which included hosting the entire award-winning cast of West Side Story, encompassing Academy Award winner/Golden Globe recipient George Chakiris and legendary actor Golden Globe honoree/Academy Award nominee Russ Tamblyn. These extraordinary guests and events have cemented the festival's status as a premier destination for honoring film and the talents who make it.
The Ventura Film Festival founder and executive director was chosen to participate, accompanied here by many of Hollywood's leading celebrities, in the 50th Anniversary of West Side Story and Hollywood's prestigious footprint/handprint ceremony honoring Academy Award recipients Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, together with Golden Globe champion Russ Tamblyn at the legendary Chinese Theater in Hollywood. This gathering also operated as the official BluRay premiere by Fox and MGM of the timeless West Side Story, which is commonly viewed by critics and fans as the finest musical of all time. This distinguished honor and involvement demonstrates the festival's meaningful presence and honored place within the entertainment industry.