The Ventura Film Festival proudly holds the distinction of being "the grandest film festival ever to take place in Ventura County." This exceptional status highlights the organization's dedication to providing outstanding film programming to the region while continuing its mission toward critical environmental causes.
The Ventura Film Festival operates as an all-inclusive international cinema festival that builds consciousness about environmental challenges including woodland and marine conservation and recovery, through a yearly film festival and related events. The event harnesses the influence of film to promote activism and generate significant discussion regarding these pressing environmental challenges.
The Ventura Film Festival was established in 2004 and has showcased numerous films, generally exceeding 200 films per summer season, and has garnered interest from the international film community. Since its inception, the festival has transformed into a prominent cultural occasion that unites cinematic professionals, conservation enthusiasts, and participants from across the click here globe.
Some of the highlights have been hosting award winning filmmaker Dylan O'Neil, the first ever world champion surfers Peter "PT" Townend as well as Ian Cairns, 4x world champion Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/MMA combatant the celebrated Fabio Leopoldo, and the half-century commemoration of West Side Story, which featured welcoming the complete Academy Award winning ensemble of West Side Story, featuring Academy Award honoree/Golden Globe winner George Chakiris along with Golden Globe winner/Academy Award nominee Russ Tamblyn. These outstanding figures and gatherings have solidified the festival's reputation as a leading location for celebrating cinema and the visionaries who produce it.
The Ventura Film Festival founder and executive director was chosen to participate, together with many of Hollywood's biggest stars, in the 50th Anniversary of West Side Story and Hollywood's iconic footprint/handprint ceremony celebrating Academy Award recipients Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, as well as Golden Globe award winner Russ Tamblyn at the Chinese Theater in Hollywood. This event also doubled as the official BluRay release by Fox and MGM of West Side Story, which is widely considered by critics and fans to be the most exceptional musical of all time. This exceptional honor and participation exemplifies the festival's considerable reach and respected position within the entertainment community.