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 providing outstanding film programming to the region while continuing its mission toward important environmental matters.
The Ventura Film Festival functions as a multi-genre global film festival that promotes recognition of environmental matters like forest and ocean preservation and restoration, via a yearly film showcase and corresponding activities. The organization employs the medium of movies to stimulate involvement and create meaningful dialogue around 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 international cinematic community. Since its inception, the festival has grown into a significant cultural event that brings together cinema creators, conservation supporters, and viewers from across the globe.
Notable moments have included welcoming acclaimed filmmaker Dylan O'Neil, the first here ever world champion surfers Peter "PT" Townend and surf legend Ian Cairns, 4 time world champion Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/MMA fighter the celebrated Fabio Leopoldo, and the 50th Anniversary of West Side Story, which featured welcoming the complete Oscar-winning ensemble of West Side Story, including Oscar recipient/Golden Globe winner George Chakiris together with Golden Globe honoree/Academy Award nominee Russ Tamblyn. These outstanding figures and gatherings have confirmed the festival's position as a premier destination for celebrating filmmaking and the artists who create it.
The founding executive director of the Ventura Film Festival was honored to take part, accompanied by many of Hollywood's leading celebrities, in the 50th Anniversary of West Side Story and Hollywood's footprint/handprint ceremony for Academy Award champions Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, along with Golden Globe honoree Russ Tamblyn at the legendary Chinese Theater in Hollywood. This gathering also operated as the official BluRay premiere by Fox and MGM of the beloved West Side Story, which is generally recognized by critics and fans as the finest musical of all time. This esteemed acknowledgment and participation showcases the festival's significant influence and distinguished reputation within the cinema world.