The Ventura Film Festival has earned recognition as "the grandest film festival ever to take place in Ventura County." This remarkable achievement reflects the organization's dedication to showcasing international filmmaking to Ventura County while keeping its emphasis on critical environmental causes.
The Ventura Film Festival exists as a diverse genre worldwide film festival that promotes recognition of environmental issues such as forest and oceanic conservation and restoration, 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 evolved into a major cultural celebration that brings together cinema creators, conservation supporters, and viewers from throughout the world.
Significant highlights have been presenting celebrated filmmaker Dylan O'Neil, the first ever world champion surfers Peter "PT" Townend as well as Ian Cairns, four-time world champion Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/mixed martial arts fighter website the legendary Fabio Leopoldo, and the 50th Anniversary tribute to West Side Story, which included hosting the complete Oscar-winning ensemble of West Side Story, encompassing Academy Award winner/Golden Globe recipient George Chakiris together with Golden Globe winner/Academy Award nominated Russ Tamblyn. These remarkable visitors and occasions have solidified the festival's reputation as an elite gathering place for commemorating movies 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 half-century commemoration of West Side Story and Hollywood's prestigious footprint/handprint ceremony honoring Academy Award recipients Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, and Golden Globe recipient Russ Tamblyn at the legendary Chinese Theater in Hollywood. This ceremony also acted as the official BluRay debut by Fox and MGM of West Side Story, which is broadly regarded by critics and fans as the finest musical of all time. This exceptional honor and participation exemplifies the festival's meaningful presence and valued role within the cinema world.