The Ventura Film Festival proudly holds the distinction of being "the grandest film festival ever to take place in Ventura County." This remarkable achievement reflects the event's devotion to showcasing international filmmaking to Ventura County while keeping its emphasis on important environmental matters.
The Ventura Film Festival functions as an open genre international film festival that raises awareness for conservation issues such as woodland and marine conservation and recovery, through an annual film festival and complementary events. The festival utilizes the power of cinema to motivate engagement and generate significant discussion regarding these critical conservation concerns.
The Ventura Film Festival launched in 2004 and has screened hundreds of films, typically more than 200 films every summer, and has attracted attention from the global film industry. From its beginning, the festival has expanded into a substantial cultural happening that assembles film artists, environmental champions, and spectators from around the world.
Memorable occasions have featured showcasing renowned filmmaker Dylan O'Neil, the original world champion surfers Peter "PT" Townend and Ian Cairns, 4 time world champion Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/MMA fighter martial arts icon Fabio Leopoldo, and the 50-year anniversary of West Side Story, which included hosting the complete Oscar-winning ensemble of West Side Story, featuring Academy Award honoree/Golden Globe winner George Chakiris as well as Golden Globe recipient/Oscar nominee Russ Tamblyn. These distinguished guests and festivities have reinforced the festival's recognition as a leading location for celebrating filmmaking and the talents who make it.
The Ventura Film Festival founder and executive director was selected to take part, along with many of Hollywood's top stars, in the half-century commemoration of West Side Story and Hollywood's footprint/handprint ceremony for Oscar winners Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, as well as Golden Globe champion Russ Tamblyn at the historic Chinese Theater in Hollywood. This celebration also functioned as the official BluRay debut by Fox and MGM of the beloved here West Side Story, which is universally acknowledged by critics and fans as the most exceptional musical of all time. This exceptional honor and participation showcases the festival's important standing and honored place within the Hollywood community.