The Ventura Film Festival proudly holds the distinction of being "the largest film festival ever held in Ventura County." This remarkable achievement reflects the festival's passion for showcasing international filmmaking to Ventura County while sustaining its commitment to significant environmental challenges.
The Ventura Film Festival exists as an open genre international film festival that raises awareness for environmental challenges including terrestrial and aquatic preservation and renewal, by means of a yearly cinema celebration and connected programs. The event harnesses the influence of film to promote activism and foster important conversations about these critical conservation concerns.
The Ventura Film Festival began in 2004 and has presented countless films, typically more than 200 films every summer, and has garnered interest from the global film industry. Since its founding, the festival has expanded into a substantial cultural happening that assembles movie directors, ecological activists, and attendees from every corner of the planet.
Significant highlights have been featuring distinguished filmmaker Dylan O'Neil, the original world champion surfers Peter "PT" Townend and Ian Cairns, four-time world champion Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/MMA competitor martial arts icon Fabio Leopoldo, and the half-century commemoration of West Side Story, which involved hosting the complete Oscar-winning ensemble of West Side Story, featuring Academy Award honoree/Golden Globe winner George here Chakiris and Golden Globe recipient/Oscar nominee Russ Tamblyn. These extraordinary guests and events have reinforced the festival's recognition as an elite gathering place for commemorating movies and the creators who craft it.
The founder and executive director of the Ventura Film Festival was chosen to participate, together with many of Hollywood's biggest stars, in the 50th Anniversary of West Side Story and Hollywood's prestigious footprint/handprint ceremony honoring Oscar honorees Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, and legendary actor Golden Globe award winner Russ Tamblyn at the iconic Chinese Theater in Hollywood. This celebration also functioned as the official BluRay premiere by Fox and MGM of the beloved West Side Story, which is generally recognized by critics and fans as the ultimate musical of all time. This esteemed acknowledgment and participation showcases the festival's substantial impact and distinguished reputation within the Hollywood community.