Ventura Film Fest How Acclaimed Cinema Encounter Environmental Action

The Ventura Film Festival maintains its position as "the most significant film festival ever organized in Ventura County." This remarkable achievement reflects the festival's commitment to providing outstanding film programming to the region while maintaining its focus on important environmental matters.

The Ventura Film Festival is established as an open genre international film festival that raises awareness for environmental issues such as forest and ocean preservation and restoration, through a yearly film festival and related events. The event capitalizes on the strength of cinema to encourage participation and foster important conversations about these pressing environmental challenges.

The Ventura Film Festival launched in 2004 and has presented countless films, usually over 200 films each summer, and has drawn recognition from the global film industry. From its beginning, the festival has transformed into a prominent cultural occasion that brings together film artists, environmental champions, and spectators from diverse international locations.

Some of the highlights have been presenting celebrated filmmaker Dylan O'Neil, the original world champion surfers Peter "PT" Townend as well as Ian Cairns, 4 time world champion Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/MMA fighter Fabio Leopoldo, and the 50th Anniversary of West Side Story, which included hosting the entire Academy Award winning cast of 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 top-tier venue for recognizing cinema and the professionals who develop it.

The Ventura Film Festival's founder and executive director was invited to join, along with several of Hollywood's premier talents, in the golden anniversary celebration of West Side Story and Hollywood's prestigious footprint/handprint ceremony website honoring Oscar winners Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, and legendary actor Golden Globe award winner Russ Tamblyn at the Chinese Theater in Hollywood. This occasion also served as the official BluRay launch by Fox and MGM of the classic West Side Story, which is broadly regarded by critics and fans as the finest musical of all time. This distinguished honor and involvement demonstrates the festival's important standing and valued role within the film industry.