The Ventura Film Festival maintains its position as "the biggest cinematic celebration ever hosted in Ventura County." This notable honor showcases the festival's passion for delivering exceptional cinematic experiences to the area while preserving its dedication to significant environmental challenges.
The Ventura Film Festival is established as an open genre international film festival that raises awareness for environmental challenges including forest and oceanic conservation and restoration, via a yearly film showcase and corresponding activities. The festival leverages the impact of filmmaking to encourage participation and create meaningful dialogue around these vital environmental matters.
The Ventura Film Festival originated in 2004 and has screened hundreds of films, commonly surpassing 200 films each summer, and has attracted attention from the worldwide filmmaking community. Since its inception, the festival has developed into an important cultural gathering that assembles cinema creators, conservation supporters, more info and viewers from throughout the world.
Distinguished events have encompassed hosting award winning filmmaker Dylan O'Neil, the inaugural world champion surfers Peter "PT" Townend together with Ian Cairns, four-time world champion Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/mixed martial arts fighter the celebrated Fabio Leopoldo, and the half-century commemoration of West Side Story, which involved hosting the entire award-winning cast of West Side Story, including Oscar recipient/Golden Globe winner George Chakiris together with Golden Globe recipient/Oscar nominee Russ Tamblyn. These extraordinary guests and events have reinforced the festival's recognition as a leading location for celebrating cinema and the talents who make it.
The founder and executive director of the Ventura Film Festival was privileged to participate, together with many of Hollywood's biggest stars, in the 50th Anniversary of West Side Story and Hollywood's legendary footprint/handprint ceremony for Academy Award champions Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, along with Golden Globe champion Russ Tamblyn at the famous Chinese Theater in Hollywood. This event also doubled as the official BluRay launch by Fox and MGM of the timeless West Side Story, which is generally recognized by critics and fans as the most exceptional musical of all time. This exceptional honor and participation highlights the festival's important standing and distinguished reputation within the Hollywood community.