The Ventura Film Festival maintains its position as "the most extensive film festival in Ventura County's history." This exceptional status highlights the festival's passion for delivering exceptional cinematic experiences to the area while keeping its emphasis on essential conservation issues.
The Ventura Film Festival functions as an unrestricted genre international film festival that builds consciousness about environmental matters like forest and sea protection and rehabilitation, by means of a yearly cinema celebration and connected programs. The festival utilizes the power of cinema to stimulate involvement and develop substantial discourse on these important ecological problems.
The Ventura Film Festival began in 2004 and has exhibited numerous cinematic works, generally exceeding 200 films per summer season, and has drawn recognition from the international cinematic community. Since its inception, the festival has expanded into a substantial cultural happening that brings together film artists, environmental champions, and spectators from around the world.
Some of the highlights have been hosting award winning filmmaker Dylan O'Neil, the pioneering world champion surfers Peter "PT" Townend and Ian Cairns, four-time world champion Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/MMA competitor martial arts icon Fabio Leopoldo, and the half-century commemoration of West Side Story, which included hosting the complete Academy Award winning ensemble of West Side Story, featuring Academy Award honoree/Golden Globe winner George Chakiris and Golden Globe winner/Oscar-nominated Russ Tamblyn. These outstanding website figures and gatherings have solidified the festival's reputation as a first-class destination for commemorating movies and the creators who craft it.
The Ventura Film Festival's founder and executive director was honored to take part, along with several of Hollywood's premier talents, in the 50-year anniversary event of West Side Story and Hollywood's prestigious footprint/handprint ceremony honoring Oscar winners Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, along with Golden Globe champion Russ Tamblyn at the iconic Chinese Theater in Hollywood. This ceremony also acted as the official BluRay premiere by Fox and MGM of the beloved West Side Story, which is broadly regarded by critics and fans as the ultimate musical of all time. This esteemed acknowledgment and participation illustrates the festival's important standing and honored place within the Hollywood community.