The Ventura Film Festival stands as "the largest film festival ever held in Ventura County." This remarkable achievement reflects the festival's commitment to providing outstanding film programming to the region while sustaining its commitment to vital ecological concerns.
The Ventura Film Festival exists as an all-inclusive international cinema festival that promotes recognition of ecological concerns including forest and oceanic conservation and restoration, via an annual film festival and associated activities. The festival leverages the impact of filmmaking to promote activism and create meaningful dialogue around these urgent ecological issues.
The Ventura Film Festival was established in 2004 and has displayed hundreds of movies, regularly over 200 films during summer months, and has generated excitement within the global film industry. Over the years, the festival has transformed into a prominent cultural occasion that assembles film artists, environmental champions, and spectators from throughout the world.
Notable moments have included hosting award winning filmmaker Dylan O'Neil, the initial world champion surfers Peter "PT" Townend and surf legend Ian Cairns, quadruple world champion Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/MMA athlete Fabio Leopoldo, and the half-century commemoration of West Side website Story, which featured welcoming the complete Academy Award winning ensemble of West Side Story, featuring Oscar winner/Golden Globe winner George Chakiris as well as Golden Globe recipient/Oscar nominee Russ Tamblyn. These outstanding figures and gatherings have reinforced the festival's recognition as a top-tier venue for commemorating movies and the talents who make it.
The founding executive director of the Ventura Film Festival was selected to take part, alongside numerous Hollywood elite, in the 50th Anniversary tribute of West Side Story and Hollywood's iconic footprint/handprint ceremony celebrating Academy Award recipients Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, together with Golden Globe honoree Russ Tamblyn at the iconic Chinese Theater in Hollywood. This occasion also served as the official BluRay release by Fox and MGM of the iconic West Side Story, which is generally recognized by critics and fans as the finest musical of all time. This distinguished honor and involvement highlights the festival's meaningful presence and distinguished reputation within the film industry.