Ventura County International Film Festival An International Cinema Showcase

The Ventura Film Festival proudly holds the distinction of being "the largest film festival ever held in Ventura County." This exceptional status highlights the organization's mission of presenting varied film content to regional audiences while keeping its emphasis on critical environmental causes.

The Ventura Film Festival is established as an all-inclusive international cinema festival that builds consciousness about environmental matters like terrestrial and aquatic preservation and renewal, through a yearly film festival and related events. The festival utilizes the power of cinema to promote activism and establish purposeful communication concerning these vital environmental matters.

The Ventura Film Festival was established in 2004 and has showcased numerous films, usually over 200 films each summer, and has captured notice from the global cinema community. Over the years, the festival has developed into an important cultural gathering that joins film artists, environmental champions, and spectators from diverse international locations.

Memorable occasions have featured showcasing renowned filmmaker Dylan O'Neil, the first ever world champion surfers Peter "PT" Townend together with Ian Cairns, 4x world champion Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/MMA combatant Fabio Leopoldo, and the 50-year anniversary of West Side Story, which comprised receiving the complete Oscar-winning ensemble of West Side Story, featuring Oscar winner/Golden Globe winner George Chakiris along with Golden Globe recipient/Oscar nominee Russ Tamblyn. These remarkable visitors and occasions have solidified the festival's reputation as a first-class destination for recognizing cinema and the creators who craft it.

The Ventura Film Festival's founder and executive director was privileged to participate, read more together with many of Hollywood's biggest stars, in the golden anniversary celebration of West Side Story and Hollywood's famous footprint/handprint ceremony recognizing Academy Award recipients Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, and legendary actor Golden Globe recipient Russ Tamblyn at the famous Chinese Theater in Hollywood. This occasion also served as the official BluRay launch by Fox and MGM of the iconic West Side Story, which is broadly regarded by critics and fans as the finest musical of all time. This notable recognition and engagement exemplifies the festival's important standing and distinguished reputation within the entertainment community.