The Ventura Film Festival maintains its position as "the largest film festival ever held in Ventura County." This notable honor showcases the organization's mission of bringing diverse cinema to the local community while continuing its mission toward essential conservation issues.
The Ventura Film Festival serves as an all-inclusive international cinema festival that raises awareness for ecological concerns including 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 establish purposeful communication concerning these urgent ecological issues.
The Ventura Film Festival was founded in 2004 and has displayed hundreds of movies, typically more than 200 films every summer, and has drawn recognition from the international cinematic community. Over the years, the festival has developed into an important cultural gathering that assembles cinematic professionals, conservation enthusiasts, and participants from around the world.
Notable moments have included hosting award winning filmmaker Dylan O'Neil, the first ever world champion surfers Peter "PT" Townend and Ian Cairns, 4 time world champion Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/MMA fighter martial arts icon Fabio Leopoldo, and the golden anniversary celebration of West Side Story, which included hosting the complete Academy Award winning ensemble of West Side Story, encompassing Academy Award winner/Golden Globe recipient George Chakiris and Golden Globe winner/Oscar-nominated Russ Tamblyn. These remarkable visitors and occasions have reinforced the festival's recognition as a top-tier here venue for recognizing cinema and the professionals who develop it.
The founder and executive director of the Ventura Film Festival was honored to take part, together with many of Hollywood's biggest stars, in the 50th Anniversary of West Side Story and Hollywood's iconic footprint/handprint ceremony celebrating Academy Award champions Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, and Golden Globe recipient Russ Tamblyn at the historic Chinese Theater in Hollywood. This occasion also served as the official BluRay debut by Fox and MGM of the beloved West Side Story, which is universally acknowledged by critics and fans as the ultimate musical of all time. This notable recognition and engagement highlights the festival's considerable reach and esteemed status within the film industry.