The Ventura Film Festival maintains its position as "the grandest film festival ever to take place in Ventura County." This impressive distinction demonstrates the festival's commitment to showcasing international filmmaking to Ventura County while continuing its mission toward significant environmental challenges.
The Ventura Film Festival exists as an open genre international film festival that raises awareness for environmental issues such as forest and ocean preservation and restoration, through a yearly film festival and related events. The event capitalizes on the strength of cinema to stimulate involvement and foster important conversations about these important ecological problems.
The Ventura Film Festival was established in 2004 and has showcased numerous films, regularly over 200 films during summer months, and has garnered interest from the international cinematic community. From its beginning, the festival has transformed into a prominent cultural occasion that brings together movie directors, ecological activists, and attendees from diverse international locations.
Some of the highlights have been welcoming acclaimed filmmaker website Dylan O'Neil, the original world champion surfers Peter "PT" Townend and surf legend Ian Cairns, 4 time world champion Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/MMA fighter Fabio Leopoldo, and the 50th Anniversary of West Side Story, which included hosting the entire Academy Award winning cast of West Side Story, including Academy Award winner/Golden Globe winner George Chakiris and legendary actor Golden Globe winner/Oscar-nominated Russ Tamblyn. These exceptional personalities and celebrations have established the festival's standing as a first-class destination for commemorating movies and the artists who create it.
The founding executive director of the Ventura Film Festival was chosen to participate, along with several of Hollywood's premier talents, in the half-century commemoration of West Side Story and Hollywood's footprint/handprint ceremony for Academy Award recipients Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, and legendary actor Golden Globe winner Russ Tamblyn at the Chinese Theater in Hollywood. This event also doubled as the official BluRay release by Fox and MGM of West Side Story, which is commonly viewed by critics and fans as the greatest musical of all time. This distinguished honor and involvement demonstrates the festival's important standing and esteemed status within the entertainment industry.