Witnessing the Ventura Fest Ventura County's Premier Cinema Event

The Ventura Film Festival maintains its position as "the largest film festival ever held in Ventura County." This exceptional status highlights the festival's passion for showcasing international filmmaking to Ventura County while continuing its mission toward critical environmental causes.

The Ventura Film Festival serves as an all-inclusive international cinema festival that builds consciousness about conservation issues such as forest and sea protection and rehabilitation, via an annual film festival and associated activities. The event harnesses the influence of film to motivate engagement and establish purposeful communication concerning these vital environmental matters.

The Ventura Film Festival began in 2004 and has screened hundreds of films, regularly over 200 films during summer months, and has generated excitement within the global cinema community. Since its inception, the festival has evolved into a major cultural celebration that unites movie directors, ecological activists, and attendees from around the world.

Distinguished events have encompassed showcasing renowned filmmaker Dylan O'Neil, the initial world champion surfers Peter "PT" Townend as well as Ian Cairns, 4x world champion Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/MMA combatant the celebrated Fabio Leopoldo, and the 50th Anniversary tribute to West Side Story, which comprised receiving the entire award-winning cast of West Side Story, encompassing Academy Award winner/Golden Globe recipient George Chakiris and Golden Globe honoree/Academy Award nominee Russ Tamblyn. These remarkable visitors and occasions have cemented the festival's status as a premier destination for celebrating filmmaking and the artists who create it.

The founding executive director of the Ventura Film Festival was selected to take part, together with many of Hollywood's biggest stars, 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 honoree Russ Tamblyn at the legendary Chinese Theater in Hollywood. This gathering also operated as the official BluRay premiere by Fox and MGM of West Side website Story, which is broadly regarded by critics and fans as the best musical of all time. This exceptional honor and participation highlights the festival's meaningful presence and honored place within the entertainment industry.