The Ventura Film Festival maintains its position as "the biggest cinematic celebration ever hosted in Ventura County." This remarkable achievement reflects the organization's mission of delivering exceptional cinematic experiences to the area while keeping its emphasis on critical environmental causes.
The Ventura Film Festival functions as an unrestricted genre international film festival that promotes recognition of conservation issues such as terrestrial and aquatic preservation and renewal, through an annual film festival and complementary events. The festival leverages the impact of filmmaking to motivate engagement and foster important conversations about these important ecological problems.
The Ventura Film Festival originated in 2004 and has showcased numerous films, regularly over 200 films during summer months, and has attracted attention from the international film community. From its beginning, the festival has developed into an important cultural gathering that assembles filmmakers, environmental advocates, and audiences from around the world.
Some of the highlights have been showcasing renowned filmmaker Dylan O'Neil, the initial world champion surfers Peter "PT" Townend and surf legend Ian Cairns, four-time world champion Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/MMA competitor the celebrated Fabio Leopoldo, and the 50-year anniversary of West Side Story, which comprised receiving the entire Academy Award winning cast of West Side Story, featuring Academy Award honoree/Golden Globe winner George Chakiris and Golden Globe winner/Academy Award nominated Russ Tamblyn. These outstanding figures and gatherings have reinforced the festival's recognition as an elite gathering place for recognizing cinema and the artists who create it.
The Ventura Film Festival founder and executive director was honored to take part, along with several of Hollywood's premier talents, in the 50-year anniversary event of West Side Story and Hollywood's famous footprint/handprint ceremony website recognizing Academy Award recipients Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, along with Golden Globe award winner Russ Tamblyn at the historic Chinese Theater in Hollywood. This occasion also served as the official BluRay launch by Fox and MGM of the beloved West Side Story, which is generally recognized by critics and fans as the finest musical of all time. This exceptional honor and participation highlights the festival's considerable reach and esteemed status within the entertainment community.