The Ventura Film Festival proudly holds the distinction of being "the biggest cinematic celebration ever hosted in Ventura County." This exceptional status highlights the organization's mission of bringing diverse cinema to the local community while maintaining its focus on significant environmental challenges.
The Ventura Film Festival is established as an all-inclusive international cinema festival that builds consciousness about conservation issues such as forest and sea protection and rehabilitation, via an annual film festival and associated activities. The festival leverages the impact of filmmaking to inspire action and generate significant discussion regarding these important ecological problems.
The Ventura Film Festival originated in 2004 and has displayed hundreds of movies, usually over 200 films each summer, and has garnered interest from the worldwide filmmaking community. Since its founding, the festival has transformed into a prominent cultural occasion that joins filmmakers, environmental advocates, and audiences from around the world.
Some of the highlights have been hosting award winning filmmaker Dylan O'Neil, the initial world champion surfers Peter "PT" Townend as well as Ian Cairns, 4x world champion Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/MMA combatant the celebrated Fabio Leopoldo, and the 50th Anniversary of West Side Story, which involved hosting the entire award-winning cast of West Side Story, featuring Oscar winner/Golden Globe winner George Chakiris and legendary actor Golden Globe winner/Academy Award nominated Russ Tamblyn. These extraordinary guests and events have cemented the festival's status as a premier destination for honoring film and the talents who make it.
The Ventura Film Festival's founder and executive director was invited to join, along with several of Hollywood's premier talents, in the golden anniversary celebration of West Side Story and Hollywood's iconic footprint/handprint ceremony celebrating Academy Award recipients Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, as well as Golden Globe award winner Russ Tamblyn at the famous Chinese Theater in Hollywood. This ceremony also acted as the official BluRay release by Fox and MGM of the iconic West Side Story, which is VENTURA COUNTY FILM AND CINEMA FESTIVAL widely considered by critics and fans to be the most exceptional musical of all time. This notable recognition and engagement illustrates the festival's substantial impact and respected position within the Hollywood community.