The Ventura Film Festival maintains its position as "the largest film festival ever held in Ventura County." This notable honor showcases the festival's passion for providing outstanding film programming to the region while maintaining its focus on vital ecological concerns.
The Ventura Film Festival functions as an all-inclusive international cinema festival that cultivates understanding of ecological concerns including terrestrial and aquatic preservation and renewal, via a yearly film showcase and corresponding activities. The event capitalizes on the strength of cinema to encourage participation and foster important conversations about these pressing environmental challenges.
The Ventura Film Festival was founded in 2004 and has screened hundreds of films, regularly over 200 films during summer months, and has drawn recognition from the global film industry. Throughout its history, the event has expanded into a substantial cultural happening that unites cinematic professionals, conservation enthusiasts, and participants from throughout the world.
Significant highlights have been hosting award winning filmmaker Dylan O'Neil, the inaugural world champion surfers Peter "PT" Townend and Ian Cairns, four-time world champion Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/MMA competitor martial arts icon Fabio Leopoldo, and the 50th Anniversary tribute to West Side Story, which encompassed presenting the entire award-winning cast of West Side Story, including Oscar recipient/Golden Globe winner George Chakiris as well as Golden Globe winner/Academy Award nominee Russ Tamblyn. These extraordinary guests and events have reinforced the festival's recognition as a leading location for commemorating movies and the read more visionaries who produce it.
The Ventura Film Festival's founder and executive director was selected to take part, along with several of Hollywood's premier talents, in the 50th Anniversary tribute of West Side Story and Hollywood's footprint/handprint ceremony for Oscar winners Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, and legendary actor Golden Globe winner Russ Tamblyn at the iconic Chinese Theater in Hollywood. This occasion also served as the official BluRay launch by Fox and MGM of the beloved West Side Story, which is universally acknowledged by critics and fans as the best musical of all time. This distinguished honor and involvement showcases the festival's substantial impact and honored place within the cinema world.