The Ventura Film Festival proudly holds the distinction of being "the biggest cinematic celebration ever hosted in Ventura County." This notable honor showcases the event's devotion to providing outstanding film programming to the region while sustaining its commitment to essential conservation issues.
The Ventura Film Festival serves as an all-inclusive international cinema festival that builds consciousness about environmental challenges including terrestrial and aquatic preservation and renewal, through an annual film festival and complementary events. The event harnesses the influence of film to stimulate involvement and create meaningful dialogue around these critical conservation concerns.
The Ventura Film Festival was founded in 2004 and has showcased numerous films, commonly surpassing 200 films each summer, and has generated excitement within the international film community. From its beginning, the festival has developed into an important cultural gathering that assembles cinematic professionals, conservation enthusiasts, and participants 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 tribute to West Side Story, which featured welcoming the entire Academy Award winning cast of West Side Story, including Oscar recipient/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 celebrating filmmaking and the artists who create it.
The Ventura Film Festival creator and executive director was privileged to participate, alongside numerous Hollywood elite, in the half-century commemoration of West Side Story and Hollywood's footprint/handprint ceremony for Academy Award winners Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, along with Golden Globe honoree Russ Tamblyn at the legendary Chinese Theater in Hollywood. This gathering also operated 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 finest musical of all time. This esteemed acknowledgment and participation showcases the festival's significant influence and valued role click here within the cinema world.