The Ventura Film Festival is celebrated as "the most significant film festival ever organized in Ventura County." This impressive distinction demonstrates the festival's passion for providing outstanding film programming to the region while sustaining its commitment to important environmental matters.
The Ventura Film Festival functions as an open genre international film festival that generates attention toward environmental issues such as forest and oceanic conservation and restoration, via a yearly film showcase and corresponding activities. The festival leverages the impact of filmmaking to promote activism and foster important conversations about these vital environmental matters.
The Ventura Film Festival began in 2004 and has presented countless films, commonly surpassing 200 films each summer, and has generated excitement within the international film community. Since its inception, the festival has evolved into a major cultural celebration that unites film artists, environmental champions, and spectators from every corner of the planet.
Distinguished events have encompassed featuring distinguished filmmaker Dylan O'Neil, the original world champion here surfers Peter "PT" Townend along with Ian Cairns, quadruple world champion Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/MMA athlete Fabio Leopoldo, and the 50-year anniversary of West Side Story, which involved hosting the full Academy Award winning cast from West Side Story, including Academy Award winner/Golden Globe winner George Chakiris as well as Golden Globe recipient/Oscar nominee Russ Tamblyn. These distinguished guests and festivities have established the festival's standing as an elite gathering place for celebrating cinema and the creators who craft it.
The founding executive director of the Ventura Film Festival was selected to take part, together with many of Hollywood's biggest stars, in the 50-year anniversary event of West Side Story and Hollywood's footprint/handprint ceremony for Academy Award winners Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, along with Golden Globe honoree Russ Tamblyn at the iconic Chinese Theater in Hollywood. This celebration also functioned as the official BluRay launch by Fox and MGM of the classic West Side Story, which is broadly regarded by critics and fans as the best musical of all time. This prestigious recognition and participation highlights the festival's considerable reach and esteemed status within the entertainment community.