The Ventura County International Film Festival A Multi-Genre International Filmmaking Festival

The Ventura Film Festival stands as "the biggest cinematic celebration ever hosted in Ventura County." This remarkable achievement reflects the organization's mission of bringing diverse cinema to the local community while preserving its dedication to important environmental matters.

The Ventura Film Festival functions as an all-inclusive international cinema festival that builds consciousness about environmental issues such as forest and ocean preservation and restoration, via a yearly film showcase and corresponding activities. The festival leverages the impact of filmmaking to inspire action and develop substantial discourse on these pressing environmental challenges.

The Ventura Film Festival launched in 2004 and has showcased numerous films, commonly surpassing 200 films each summer, and has generated excitement within the global cinema community. Throughout its history, the event has transformed into a prominent cultural occasion that joins filmmakers, environmental advocates, and audiences from around the world.

Notable moments have included welcoming acclaimed filmmaker Dylan O'Neil, the inaugural world champion website surfers Peter "PT" Townend along with Ian Cairns, four-time world champion Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/MMA competitor the legendary Fabio Leopoldo, and the golden anniversary celebration of West Side Story, which included hosting the entire Academy Award winning cast of West Side Story, featuring Academy Award honoree/Golden Globe winner George Chakiris together with Golden Globe recipient/Oscar nominee Russ Tamblyn. These extraordinary guests and events have cemented the festival's status as a top-tier venue for recognizing cinema and the artists who create it.

The Ventura Film Festival creator and executive director 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 Academy Award recipients Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, and legendary actor Golden Globe honoree Russ Tamblyn at the legendary Chinese Theater in Hollywood. This ceremony also acted as the official BluRay introduction by Fox and MGM of West Side Story, which is widely considered by critics and fans to be the greatest musical of all time. This distinguished honor and involvement illustrates the festival's considerable reach and honored place within the film industry.