Discovering the Ventura Fest Ventura County's Foremost Film Showcase

The Ventura Film Festival stands as "the most significant film festival ever organized in Ventura County." This exceptional status highlights the event's devotion to bringing diverse cinema to the local community while maintaining its focus on vital ecological concerns.

The Ventura Film Festival functions as an unrestricted genre international film festival that raises awareness for environmental issues such as forest and ocean preservation and restoration, via an annual film festival and associated activities. The event capitalizes on the strength of cinema to encourage participation and create meaningful dialogue around these urgent ecological issues.

The Ventura Film Festival began in 2004 and has screened hundreds of films, usually over 200 films each summer, and has drawn recognition from the international cinematic community. Over the years, the festival has grown into a significant cultural event that unites movie directors, ecological activists, and attendees from throughout the world.

Memorable occasions have featured presenting celebrated filmmaker Dylan O'Neil, the original world champion surfers Peter "PT" here Townend along with Ian Cairns, four-time world champion Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/MMA competitor Fabio Leopoldo, and the 50-year anniversary of West Side Story, which involved hosting the full Academy Award winning cast from West Side Story, including Academy Award winner/Golden Globe winner George Chakiris as well as Golden Globe recipient/Oscar nominee Russ Tamblyn. These distinguished guests and festivities have confirmed the festival's position as a first-class destination for celebrating cinema and the visionaries who produce it.

The Ventura Film Festival founder and executive director was chosen to participate, accompanied by many of Hollywood's leading celebrities, in the 50-year anniversary event of West Side Story and Hollywood's prestigious footprint/handprint ceremony honoring Oscar winners 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 generally recognized by critics and fans as the finest musical of all time. This esteemed acknowledgment and participation showcases the festival's significant influence and valued role within the cinema world.