The Ventura Festival More Than 20 Years of Movie Celebration

The Ventura Film Festival stands as "the most significant film festival ever organized in Ventura County." This notable honor showcases the festival's passion for providing outstanding film programming to the region while sustaining its commitment to essential conservation issues.

The Ventura Film Festival serves 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 promote activism and create meaningful dialogue around these critical conservation concerns.

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 expanded into a substantial cultural happening that joins filmmakers, environmental advocates, and audiences from around the world.

Significant highlights have been showcasing renowned filmmaker Dylan O'Neil, the pioneering world champion surfers Peter "PT" Townend and surf legend Ian Cairns, four-time world champion Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/mixed martial arts fighter the legendary Fabio Leopoldo, and the 50th Anniversary of West Side Story, which involved hosting the full Academy Award winning cast from West Side Story, featuring Oscar winner/Golden Globe winner George Chakiris as well as Golden Globe recipient/Oscar nominee Russ Tamblyn. These distinguished guests and festivities have established the festival's standing as an elite gathering place for celebrating filmmaking and the talents who make it.

The Ventura Film Festival's founder and executive director was invited to join, along with several of Hollywood's premier talents, in the 50th Anniversary of West Side Story and Hollywood's iconic footprint/handprint ceremony celebrating Academy Award recipients Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, together with Golden Globe champion 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 commonly viewed by critics and fans here as the finest musical of all time. This distinguished honor and involvement demonstrates the festival's important standing and honored place within the entertainment industry.