The Ventura Film Festival maintains its position as "the largest film festival ever held in Ventura County." This exceptional status highlights the festival's passion for providing outstanding film programming to the region while continuing its mission toward important environmental matters.
The Ventura Film Festival functions as an open genre international film festival that cultivates understanding of 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 encourage participation and establish purposeful communication concerning these urgent ecological issues.
The Ventura Film Festival launched in 2004 and has screened hundreds of films, typically more than 200 films every summer, and has drawn recognition from the international cinematic community. Over the years, 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 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 entire Academy Award winning cast of West Side Story, including Oscar recipient/Golden Globe winner George Chakiris along with Golden Globe winner/Oscar-nominated Russ VENTURA FESTIVALS Tamblyn. These exceptional personalities and celebrations have reinforced the festival's recognition as a leading location for recognizing cinema and the artists who create it.
The Ventura Film Festival creator and executive director was privileged to participate, alongside numerous Hollywood elite, in the half-century commemoration of West Side Story and Hollywood's famous footprint/handprint ceremony recognizing 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 classic West Side Story, which is broadly regarded by critics and fans as the best musical of all time. This prestigious recognition and participation highlights the festival's meaningful presence and esteemed status within the entertainment industry.