The Ventura Film Festival is celebrated as "the biggest cinematic celebration ever hosted in Ventura County." This exceptional status highlights the organization's mission of bringing diverse cinema to the local community 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 festival utilizes the power of cinema to encourage participation and establish purposeful communication concerning these urgent ecological issues.
The Ventura Film Festival was established in 2004 and has presented countless films, generally exceeding 200 films per summer season, and has captured notice from the international film community. Since its inception, the festival has expanded into a substantial cultural happening that connects filmmakers, environmental advocates, and audiences from throughout the world.
Distinguished events have encompassed showcasing renowned filmmaker Dylan O'Neil, the first ever world champion surfers Peter "PT" Townend along with Ian Cairns, four-time world champion Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/mixed martial arts fighter the celebrated Fabio Leopoldo, and the 50-year anniversary of West Side Story, which involved hosting the complete Academy Award winning ensemble of West Side Story, featuring Academy Award honoree/Golden Globe winner George Chakiris as well website as Golden Globe honoree/Academy Award nominee Russ Tamblyn. These exceptional personalities and celebrations have established the festival's standing as a first-class destination for commemorating movies and the artists who create it.
The founding executive director of the Ventura Film Festival was chosen to participate, along with several of Hollywood's premier talents, in the 50th Anniversary tribute of West Side Story and Hollywood's footprint/handprint ceremony for Academy Award recipients Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, and legendary actor Golden Globe recipient Russ Tamblyn at the iconic Chinese Theater in Hollywood. This gathering also operated as the official BluRay release by Fox and MGM of the classic West Side Story, which is commonly viewed by critics and fans as the ultimate musical of all time. This notable recognition and engagement highlights the festival's important standing and valued role within the Hollywood community.