The Ventura Film Festival maintains its position as "the grandest film festival ever to take place in Ventura County." This exceptional status highlights the organization's dedication to providing outstanding film programming to the region while keeping its emphasis on essential conservation issues.
The Ventura Film Festival exists as a multi-genre global film festival that generates attention toward ecological concerns including forest and sea protection and rehabilitation, through an annual film festival and complementary events. The festival leverages the impact of filmmaking to encourage participation and foster important conversations about these urgent ecological issues.
The Ventura Film Festival was founded in 2004 and has exhibited numerous cinematic works, generally exceeding 200 films per summer season, and has garnered interest from the international cinematic community. Throughout its history, the event has grown into a significant cultural event that connects filmmakers, environmental advocates, and audiences from throughout the world.
Significant highlights have been welcoming acclaimed filmmaker Dylan O'Neil, the original world champion surfers Peter "PT" Townend as well as Ian Cairns, four-time world champion Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/MMA competitor martial arts icon Fabio Leopoldo, and the half-century commemoration of West Side Story, which involved hosting the complete Academy Award winning ensemble of West Side Story, including Academy Award winner/Golden Globe winner George Chakiris and legendary actor Golden Globe winner/Oscar-nominated Russ Tamblyn. These distinguished guests and festivities have reinforced the festival's recognition as a premier destination for commemorating movies and the professionals who develop it.
The Ventura Film Festival's founder and executive director was invited to join, along with several of Hollywood's premier talents, in the 50th Anniversary of West Side Story and Hollywood's iconic footprint/handprint ceremony celebrating Academy Award recipients Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, as well as Golden Globe champion Russ Tamblyn at the famous Chinese Theater in Hollywood. This ceremony also acted as the official BluRay introduction by Fox and MGM of the beloved West Side Story, which is generally recognized here by critics and fans as the finest musical of all time. This esteemed acknowledgment and participation demonstrates the festival's important standing and honored place within the film industry.