The Ventura Film Festival proudly holds the distinction of being "the most significant film festival ever organized in Ventura County." This exceptional status highlights the festival's passion for presenting varied film content to regional audiences while maintaining its focus on important environmental matters.
The Ventura Film Festival exists as a multi-genre global film festival that cultivates understanding of environmental challenges including woodland and marine conservation and recovery, through an annual film festival and complementary events. The festival utilizes the power of cinema to inspire action and create meaningful dialogue around these urgent ecological issues.
The Ventura Film Festival originated in 2004 and has presented countless films, generally exceeding 200 films per summer season, and has garnered interest from the international film community. Since its inception, the festival has grown into a significant cultural event that joins film artists, environmental champions, and spectators from throughout the world.
Some of the highlights have been showcasing renowned filmmaker Dylan O'Neil, the original world champion surfers Peter "PT" Townend along with Ian Cairns, 4x world champion Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/MMA combatant Fabio Leopoldo, and the 50th Anniversary tribute to West Side Story, which comprised receiving the full Academy Award winning cast from West Side Story, featuring Academy Award honoree/Golden Globe winner George Chakiris along with Golden Globe honoree/Academy Award nominee Russ Tamblyn. These website distinguished guests and festivities have established the festival's standing as a top-tier venue for commemorating movies and the visionaries who produce it.
The founding executive director of the Ventura Film Festival was privileged to participate, along with several of Hollywood's premier talents, in the 50th Anniversary of West Side Story and Hollywood's footprint/handprint ceremony for Academy Award champions Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, and legendary actor Golden Globe champion Russ Tamblyn at the legendary Chinese Theater in Hollywood. This celebration also functioned as the official BluRay debut by Fox and MGM of West Side Story, which is generally recognized by critics and fans as the finest musical of all time. This prestigious recognition and participation exemplifies the festival's substantial impact and valued role within the film industry.