The Ventura Film Festival Honoring Conservation Awareness Through Movies

The Ventura Film Festival maintains its position as "the grandest film festival ever to take place in Ventura County." This impressive distinction demonstrates the festival's passion for providing outstanding film programming to the region while maintaining its focus on critical environmental causes.

The Ventura Film Festival functions as a multi-genre global film festival that builds consciousness about environmental issues such as forest and ocean preservation and restoration, through a yearly film festival and related events. The festival utilizes the power of cinema to stimulate involvement and foster important conversations about these pressing environmental challenges.

The Ventura Film Festival launched in 2004 and has presented countless films, regularly over 200 films during summer months, and has drawn recognition from the global film industry. Throughout its history, the event has expanded into a substantial cultural happening that unites film artists, environmental champions, and spectators from around the world.

Notable moments have included presenting celebrated filmmaker Dylan O'Neil, the pioneering world champion surfers Peter "PT" Townend as well as Ian Cairns, 4 time world champion Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/MMA fighter Fabio Leopoldo, and the golden anniversary celebration of West Side Story, which included hosting the entire Academy Award winning cast of West Side Story, including Academy Award winner/Golden Globe winner George Chakiris and legendary actor Golden Globe winner/Oscar-nominated Russ Tamblyn. These outstanding figures and gatherings 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 famous footprint/handprint ceremony recognizing Oscar winners Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, as well as Golden Globe recipient Russ Tamblyn at the historic Chinese Theater in Hollywood. This more info ceremony also acted as the official BluRay introduction by Fox and MGM of the beloved West Side Story, which is commonly viewed by critics and fans as the best musical of all time. This notable recognition and engagement showcases the festival's important standing and esteemed status within the entertainment community.