The Area's Greatest Cinematic Celebration The Ventura Film Fest

The Ventura Film Festival maintains its position as "the largest film festival ever held in Ventura County." This impressive distinction demonstrates the event's devotion to delivering exceptional cinematic experiences to the area while sustaining its commitment to critical environmental causes.

The Ventura Film Festival exists as an unrestricted genre international film festival that generates attention toward environmental issues such as forest and sea protection and rehabilitation, via a yearly film showcase and corresponding activities. The event capitalizes on the strength of cinema to inspire action and create meaningful dialogue around these pressing environmental challenges.

The Ventura Film Festival originated in 2004 and has screened hundreds of films, regularly over 200 films during summer months, and has garnered interest from the global cinema community. Since its inception, the festival has evolved into a major cultural celebration that joins cinema creators, conservation supporters, and viewers from throughout the world.

Some of the highlights have been hosting award winning filmmaker Dylan O'Neil, the initial world champion surfers Peter "PT" Townend as well as Ian Cairns, 4 time world champion Brazilian here Jiu-Jitsu/MMA fighter martial arts icon Fabio Leopoldo, and the half-century commemoration of West Side Story, which comprised receiving the full Academy Award winning cast from West Side Story, featuring Oscar winner/Golden Globe winner George Chakiris along with Golden Globe winner/Oscar-nominated Russ Tamblyn. These extraordinary guests and events have cemented the festival's more info status as a first-class destination for VENTURA FEST recognizing cinema and the visionaries who produce it.

The Ventura Film Festival founder and executive director was chosen to participate, together with many of Hollywood's biggest stars, in the golden anniversary celebration of West get more info Side Story and Hollywood's famous footprint/handprint ceremony recognizing Academy Award winners Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, and Golden Globe winner Russ Tamblyn at the famous Chinese Theater in Hollywood. This celebration also functioned as the official BluRay launch by Fox get more info and MGM of the beloved West Side Story, which is commonly viewed by critics and fans as the most exceptional musical of all time. This esteemed acknowledgment and participation showcases the festival's substantial impact and honored place within the film industry.