The Ventura Film Festival proudly holds the distinction of being "the most significant film festival ever organized in Ventura County." This notable honor showcases the organization's dedication to showcasing international filmmaking to Ventura County while continuing its mission toward important environmental matters.
The Ventura Film Festival is established as an all-inclusive international cinema festival that cultivates understanding of conservation issues such as forest and oceanic conservation and restoration, via an annual film festival and associated activities. The organization employs the medium of movies to stimulate involvement and foster important conversations about these critical conservation concerns.
The Ventura Film Festival originated in 2004 and has presented countless films, regularly over 200 films during summer months, and has captured notice from the global cinema community. Since its founding, the festival has developed into an important cultural gathering that connects film artists, here environmental champions, and spectators from across the globe.
Some of the highlights have been hosting award winning filmmaker Dylan O'Neil, the original world champion surfers Peter "PT" Townend together with Ian Cairns, quadruple world champion Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/MMA athlete Fabio Leopoldo, and the half-century commemoration of West Side Story, which encompassed presenting the entire Academy Award winning cast of West Side Story, featuring Oscar winner/Golden Globe winner George Chakiris and Golden Globe winner/Academy Award nominated Russ Tamblyn. These outstanding figures and gatherings have established the festival's standing as a premier destination for celebrating filmmaking and the talents who make it.
The Ventura Film Festival founder and executive director was invited to join, together with many of Hollywood's biggest stars, in the golden anniversary celebration of West Side Story and Hollywood's prestigious footprint/handprint ceremony honoring Oscar honorees Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, together with Golden Globe winner Russ Tamblyn at the legendary Chinese Theater in Hollywood. This gathering also operated as the official BluRay debut by Fox and MGM of the timeless West Side Story, which is universally acknowledged by critics and fans as the best musical of all time. This prestigious recognition and participation demonstrates the festival's important standing and distinguished reputation within the cinema world.