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 continuing its mission toward vital ecological concerns.
The Ventura Film Festival serves as a diverse genre worldwide film festival that cultivates understanding of conservation issues such as forest and oceanic conservation and restoration, through a yearly film festival and related events. The festival utilizes the power of cinema to promote activism and develop substantial discourse on these critical conservation concerns.
The Ventura Film Festival originated in 2004 and has screened hundreds of films, regularly over 200 films during summer months, and has drawn recognition from the international film community. Since its founding, the festival has evolved into a major cultural celebration that assembles cinema creators, conservation supporters, and viewers from every corner of the planet.
Some of the highlights have been presenting celebrated filmmaker Dylan O'Neil, the pioneering world champion surfers Peter "PT" Townend and Ian Cairns, quadruple world champion Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/MMA athlete martial arts icon Fabio Leopoldo, and the 50-year anniversary of West Side Story, which comprised receiving the entire Academy Award winning cast of West Side Story, including Academy Award winner/Golden Globe winner George Chakiris and Golden Globe winner/Academy Award nominee Russ Tamblyn. These distinguished guests and festivities have reinforced the festival's recognition as a leading location for honoring film and the artists who create it.
The founding executive director of the Ventura Film Festival was invited to join, along with many of Hollywood's top stars, in the 50-year anniversary event of West Side Story and Hollywood's iconic footprint/handprint ceremony celebrating Academy Award champions SOCAL MOVIE FESTIVAL Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, along with Golden Globe champion Russ Tamblyn at the historic Chinese Theater in Hollywood. This celebration also functioned as the official BluRay introduction by Fox and MGM of West Side Story, which is commonly viewed by critics and fans as the ultimate musical of all time. This exceptional honor and participation highlights the festival's important standing and distinguished reputation within the entertainment community.