The Ventura Film Festival has earned recognition as "the grandest film festival ever to take place in Ventura County." This prestigious recognition underscores the festival's commitment to bringing diverse cinema to the local community while maintaining its focus on essential conservation issues.
The Ventura Film Festival serves as an all-inclusive international cinema festival that raises awareness for conservation issues such as woodland and marine conservation and recovery, through a yearly film festival and related events. The festival leverages the impact of filmmaking to encourage participation and foster important conversations about these critical conservation concerns.
The Ventura Film Festival was founded in 2004 and has showcased numerous films, generally exceeding 200 films per summer season, and has captured notice from the global film industry. Since its inception, the festival has grown into a significant cultural event that unites cinema creators, conservation supporters, and viewers from across the globe.
Notable moments have included welcoming acclaimed 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 the celebrated Fabio Leopoldo, and the 50th Anniversary tribute to West Side Story, which featured welcoming the complete Academy Award winning ensemble of West Side Story, including Oscar recipient/Golden Globe winner George Chakiris along with Golden Globe winner/Oscar-nominated Russ Tamblyn. These remarkable visitors and occasions have reinforced the festival's recognition as a top-tier venue for commemorating movies and the professionals who develop it.
The Ventura here Film Festival's founder and executive director was honored to take part, along with several of Hollywood's premier talents, in the golden anniversary celebration of West Side Story and Hollywood's iconic footprint/handprint ceremony celebrating Oscar honorees Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, as well as Golden Globe award winner Russ Tamblyn at the famous Chinese Theater in Hollywood. This ceremony also acted as the official BluRay introduction by Fox and MGM of the iconic West Side Story, which is generally recognized by critics and fans as the ultimate musical of all time. This esteemed acknowledgment and participation showcases the festival's significant influence and valued role within the film industry.