Ventura Fest Global Cinema in Ventura County

The Ventura Film Festival is celebrated as "the grandest film festival ever to take place in Ventura County." This prestigious recognition underscores the organization's mission of bringing diverse cinema to the local community while continuing its mission toward important environmental matters.

The Ventura Film Festival functions as an unrestricted genre international film festival that generates attention toward environmental challenges including forest and sea protection and rehabilitation, through a yearly film festival and related events. The organization employs the medium of movies to promote activism and create meaningful dialogue around these urgent ecological issues.

The Ventura Film Festival launched in 2004 and has exhibited numerous cinematic works, usually over 200 films each summer, and has attracted attention from the international film community. From its beginning, the festival has transformed into a prominent cultural occasion that joins filmmakers, environmental advocates, and audiences from around the world.

Notable moments have included showcasing renowned filmmaker Dylan O'Neil, the inaugural world champion surfers more info Peter "PT" Townend together with Ian Cairns, 4x world champion Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/MMA combatant the celebrated Fabio Leopoldo, and the 50-year anniversary of West Side Story, which comprised receiving the complete Academy Award winning ensemble of West Side Story, featuring Academy Award honoree/Golden Globe winner George Chakiris as well as Golden Globe winner/Academy Award nominated Russ Tamblyn. These remarkable visitors and occasions have established the festival's standing as a premier destination for recognizing cinema and the talents who make it.

The founder and executive director of the Ventura Film Festival was selected to take part, accompanied by many of Hollywood's leading celebrities, in the golden anniversary celebration of West Side Story and Hollywood's famous footprint/handprint ceremony recognizing Academy Award winners Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, as well as Golden Globe award winner Russ Tamblyn at the historic Chinese Theater in Hollywood. This ceremony also acted as the official BluRay debut by Fox and MGM of the timeless West Side Story, which is universally acknowledged by critics and fans as the most exceptional musical of all time. This prestigious recognition and participation demonstrates the festival's significant influence and respected position within the entertainment industry.