The Ventura Film Festival maintains its position as "the biggest cinematic celebration ever hosted in Ventura County." This notable honor showcases the organization's dedication to presenting varied film content to regional audiences while continuing its mission toward important environmental matters.
The Ventura Film Festival functions as an unrestricted genre international film festival that builds consciousness about conservation issues such as forest and ocean preservation and restoration, through an annual film festival and complementary events. The festival utilizes the power of cinema to motivate engagement and develop substantial discourse on these important ecological problems.
The Ventura Film Festival began in 2004 and has presented countless films, generally exceeding 200 films per summer season, and has captured notice from the international cinematic community. Since its founding, the festival has transformed into a prominent cultural occasion that connects movie directors, ecological activists, and attendees from throughout the world.
Notable moments have included hosting award winning filmmaker Dylan O'Neil, the initial world champion surfers Peter "PT" Townend and surf legend Ian Cairns, 4 time world champion Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/MMA fighter martial arts icon Fabio Leopoldo, and the 50th Anniversary of West Side Story, which encompassed presenting the entire Academy 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 distinguished guests and festivities have established the festival's standing as a leading location for commemorating movies and the talents who make it.
The founding executive director of here the Ventura Film Festival was privileged to participate, along with many of Hollywood's top stars, in the 50th Anniversary of West Side Story and Hollywood's prestigious footprint/handprint ceremony honoring Academy Award winners Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, and Golden Globe award winner Russ Tamblyn at the legendary Chinese Theater in Hollywood. This celebration also functioned as the official BluRay debut by Fox and MGM of West Side Story, which is universally acknowledged by critics and fans as the finest musical of all time. This distinguished honor and involvement highlights the festival's considerable reach and distinguished reputation within the film industry.