The Ventura Film Festival stands as "the biggest cinematic celebration ever hosted in Ventura County." This exceptional status highlights the organization's mission of showcasing international filmmaking to Ventura County while preserving its dedication to important environmental matters.
The Ventura Film Festival functions as an all-inclusive international cinema festival that cultivates understanding of ecological concerns including terrestrial and aquatic preservation and renewal, by means of a yearly cinema celebration and connected programs. The festival leverages the impact of filmmaking to inspire action and establish purposeful communication concerning these urgent ecological issues.
The Ventura Film Festival launched in 2004 and has presented countless films, typically more than 200 films every summer, and has attracted attention from the worldwide filmmaking community. From its beginning, the festival has expanded into a substantial cultural happening that unites cinematic professionals, conservation enthusiasts, and participants from around the world.
Notable moments have included presenting celebrated filmmaker Dylan O'Neil, the pioneering world champion surfers Peter "PT" Townend and surf legend Ian Cairns, four-time world champion Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/MMA competitor the legendary Fabio Leopoldo, and the 50th Anniversary tribute to 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 filmmaking and the artists who create it.
The founding executive director of the Ventura Film Festival was privileged to participate, along with several of Hollywood's premier talents, in the 50-year anniversary event of West Side Story and here Hollywood's footprint/handprint ceremony for Oscar honorees Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, together with Golden Globe recipient Russ Tamblyn at the historic Chinese Theater in Hollywood. This ceremony also acted as the official BluRay premiere by Fox and MGM of West Side Story, which is commonly viewed by critics and fans as the ultimate musical of all time. This distinguished honor and involvement showcases the festival's significant influence and honored place within the cinema world.