About the Ojai Film Festival
Founded to champion uplifting, visionary cinema and foster meaningful connections between filmmakers, industry professionals, and our community.
Our Journey
“Ojai is the next Telluride.”
— Peter Guber, Legendary ProducerHow it began
In 1998, artist and filmmaker Steve Grumette juried at Canyonlands Film Festival in Moab, Utah. Seeing parallels between Moab and Ojai, he returned with a question: if Moab could nurture a thriving festival, why not Ojai?
Our mission
We continue a simple, powerful promise:
- Show groundbreaking work audiences might not otherwise see.
- Champion filmmakers with an enthusiastic audience and access to industry professionals.
- Enrich the human spirit by elevating films that uplift, inspire, and celebrate meaningful lives.
This guiding ethos has shaped Ojai’s programming for more than two decades.
Programs that grow with Ojai
- Focus Earth — a mini-festival of films and panels on environmental issues, presented with local filmmakers and community experts.
- Screenwriting Competition — spotlighting storytellers and craft.
- Full-day education program — more than 200 regional high school students attend seminars and screenings in Ojai each year.
The spirit of Ojai
From the Chumash to modern seekers, Ojai has long drawn spiritual teachers and Hollywood creatives to its mountain valley.
A short, scenic drive from Los Angeles, Ojai offers quiet seclusion and an artistic environment — a perfect setting for filmmakers to connect, recharge, and create.
The Festival welcomes a diverse lineup from around the world — past entries have represented 43+ countries. Our Program Director Steve Grumette is regularly invited to jury other festivals, underscoring Ojai’s growing stature.
Why Ojai
A leading regional festival and unparalleled educational platform — drawing savvy audiences from Ventura, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles counties.