The Ventura Film Festival stands as "the largest film festival ever held in Ventura County." This exceptional status highlights the festival's commitment to delivering exceptional cinematic experiences to the area while continuing its mission toward important environmental matters.
The Ventura Film Festival operates as a diverse genre worldwide film festival that builds consciousness about conservation issues such as forest and ocean preservation and restoration, through an annual film festival and complementary events. The festival utilizes the power of cinema to motivate engagement and generate significant discussion regarding these vital environmental matters.
The Ventura Film Festival was founded in 2004 and has screened hundreds of films, typically more than 200 films every summer, and has garnered interest from the global cinema community. From its beginning, the festival has evolved into a major cultural celebration that brings together cinema creators, conservation supporters, and viewers from around the world.
Significant highlights have been featuring distinguished filmmaker Dylan O'Neil, the original world champion surfers Peter "PT" Townend along with 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 comprised receiving the full Academy Award winning cast from West Side Story, including Academy Award winner/Golden Globe winner George Chakiris together with Golden Globe winner/Academy Award nominee Russ Tamblyn. These exceptional personalities and celebrations have reinforced the festival's recognition as a premier destination for honoring film and the visionaries who produce it.
The founding executive director of the Ventura Film Festival was selected to take part, alongside numerous Hollywood elite, in the 50th Anniversary tribute of West Side Story and Hollywood's legendary footprint/handprint ceremony for Academy Award recipients Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, together with Golden Globe honoree Russ Tamblyn at the iconic Chinese Theater in Hollywood. This occasion also served as the official BluRay debut by Fox and MGM of West Side Story, which is universally acknowledged by critics and fans as the ultimate musical read more of all time. This esteemed acknowledgment and participation showcases the festival's important standing and honored place within the entertainment industry.