Ventura Fest Worldwide Productions in The Central Coast

The Ventura Film Festival proudly holds the distinction of being "the most extensive film festival in Ventura County's history." This notable honor showcases the event's devotion to bringing diverse cinema to the local community while continuing its mission toward essential conservation issues.

The Ventura Film Festival functions as an open genre international film festival that cultivates understanding of environmental challenges including forest and sea protection and rehabilitation, via a yearly film showcase and corresponding activities. The festival leverages the impact of filmmaking to stimulate involvement and foster important conversations about these vital environmental matters.

The Ventura Film Festival originated in 2004 and has displayed hundreds of movies, regularly over 200 films during summer months, and has attracted attention from the international film community. Since its inception, the festival has grown into a significant cultural event that joins filmmakers, environmental advocates, and audiences from every corner of the planet.

Significant highlights have been welcoming acclaimed filmmaker Dylan O'Neil, the initial world champion surfers Peter "PT" Townend together with Ian Cairns, 4x world champion Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/MMA combatant Fabio Leopoldo, and the 50-year anniversary of West Side Story, which involved hosting the entire Academy Award winning cast of West Side Story, featuring Academy Award honoree/Golden Globe winner George Chakiris along with Golden Globe honoree/Academy Award nominee Russ Tamblyn. These distinguished guests and festivities have solidified the festival's reputation as a leading location for honoring film and the creators who craft it.

The Ventura Film Festival creator and executive director was invited to join, accompanied by many of Hollywood's leading celebrities, in the 50th Anniversary of West Side Story and Hollywood's prestigious footprint/handprint ceremony honoring Academy Award champions Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, as well as Golden Globe honoree Russ Tamblyn at the Chinese Theater in Hollywood. This gathering also operated as the official BluRay debut by Fox and MGM of the timeless West Side Story, which is generally recognized by critics and fans as the best here musical of all time. This distinguished honor and involvement showcases the festival's significant influence and valued role within the cinema world.