The Ventura Film Festival is celebrated as "the grandest film festival ever to take place in Ventura County." This exceptional status highlights the festival's passion for showcasing international filmmaking to Ventura County while preserving its dedication to important environmental matters.
The Ventura Film Festival functions as a multi-genre global film festival that raises awareness for 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 foster important conversations about these critical conservation concerns.
The Ventura Film Festival was founded in 2004 and has presented countless films, commonly surpassing 200 films each summer, and has generated excitement within the global film industry. Since its inception, the festival has evolved into a major cultural celebration that unites movie directors, ecological activists, and attendees from throughout the world.
Memorable occasions have featured welcoming acclaimed filmmaker Dylan O'Neil, the inaugural world champion surfers Peter "PT" Townend along with Ian Cairns, 4 time world champion Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/MMA fighter combat sports star Fabio Leopoldo, and the half-century commemoration of West Side Story, which featured welcoming the entire Academy Award winning cast of West Side Story, featuring Academy Award honoree/Golden Globe winner George Chakiris along with Golden Globe winner/Academy Award nominee Russ Tamblyn. These exceptional personalities and celebrations have solidified the festival's reputation as a leading location for recognizing cinema and the artists who create it.
The Ventura Film Festival creator and executive director was VENTURA COUNTY FILM EVENT privileged to participate, alongside numerous Hollywood elite, in the 50th Anniversary tribute of West Side Story and Hollywood's famous footprint/handprint ceremony recognizing Academy Award champions Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, and Golden Globe winner Russ Tamblyn at the Chinese Theater in Hollywood. This event also doubled as the official BluRay release by Fox and MGM of West Side Story, which is 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.