Monday, November 6, 1 PM, AC Theater 2022, United States, Director and Producer: Mikhail Robert Brant; 17 min. Ojai native Mischa Brant takes viewers on an odyssey to Baja to film a pod of grey whales. Footage of people communing with these gentle giants underscores the lessons that we can Read more…
Monday, November 8, 7 PM, AC Theater 2021, USA, Directors and Producers: Pat Battistini, Robert Francke, and Jason Goulet; 5 min. Hunting for a new job during a worldwide pandemic is not for the faint of heart. In Bandwidth, a father prepares for a Zoom interview while his bored family Read more…
Dear members of our Festival Family, As you can imagine, the Coronavirus situation created quite a confusing situation for us as festival planners, and I write this note to keep you informed on our current thinking. Throughout January-June we followed the same procedures we used for the past 20 years: Read more…
Congratulations to the 2020 Ojai Film Festival Screenplay Competition Finalists. Entries came from as far away as Edinbridge, Kent, UK, as well as from all over the US. Several of this year’s screenwriters entered in previous years, including Pearse Lehane who won our very first Screenplay Competition in 2016. Immigrants Read more…
2019, USA, Director: Susan Strickler, Producers: Susan Strickler and Mitchie Takeuchi; 80 min. Hiroshima survivor Setsuko Thurlow devoted her entire life to demanding a nuclear-free world. Culminating with Thurlow’s acceptance speech at the 2017 Nobel Peace Awards, this documentary explores Thurlow’s life and work, as well as her evolving friendship Read more…
2018, USA, Director and Producer: Deborah Craig; 33 min. Three young women forged a social movement by embracing their sexuality. Years later, this group of pioneering lesbians confronts the challenges of growing older with courage and determination. A Great Ride is a heartening group portrait of women who live life Read more…
2019, USA, Directors: Linda Corley and Joel Kaplan, Producer: Linda Corley; 57 min. In the aftermath of tragedy, the people of Parkland channel their grief through activism, art, and public service to make the world a better place. Featuring people from diverse walks of life, After Parkland, Healing a Nation Read more…
Season Two of Ojai Film Festival’s “Dialogue” The second season of the “Dialogue” web series which focuses on conversations with filmmakers at the twentieth annual Ojai Film Festival premieres Friday, June 6. Series producer and host Laura Caulfield speaks with film professionals, at varying stages of their careers, on a Read more…
During this time of Cronavirus the Ojai Film Festival decided to make our “Festival Film Buff” available for use as a convenient mask. This one-piece fabric has a multitude of uses (see the picture below). We offer them as a free community service, although we appreciate any donations to the Read more…
Festival Highlights: Sixteen Films Over Six Weeks In this time of self-quarantine the Ojai Film Festival presents frustrated moviegoers with a new online film series. “Festival Highlights” launches Friday, May 22 and continues through June 26 with two to three films released each week. The films then remain available for Read more…
The Ojai Film Festival, ranked as one of the top 100 Best Reviewed Festivals on FilmFreeway, continues to grow in prestige as one of the country’s premier destination festivals. The 10-day festival, November 5-15, showcases the best new films by emerging and established filmmakers from around the world. Both the Read more…
Monday, November 4 The Ojai Film Festival honors the late Bill Paxton with a new award named after him for best locally produced film. An accomplished actor/director and Ojai local, Paxton appeared in many films including The Terminator and Apollo 13. Paxton’s son James will present the award, dubbed the Read more…
Narrated by Liam Neeson, Love Thy Nature points to how deeply we’ve lost touch with nature and takes viewers on a cinematic journey through the beauty and intimacy of our relationship with the natural world. The film shows that a renewed connection with nature is key not only to our Read more…
Since its founding in 2000, the Ojai Film Festival has striven to provide audiences with groundbreaking work otherwise inaccessible, and to provide filmmakers, and movie industry professionals, with enthusiastic audiences. Its 19th year is no exception beginning November 1 and running through November 11. Over the last decade Festival participation helped Read more…
Submissions will close July 1 for the 19th annual Ojai Film Festival. Ranked as one of the Top 100 Best Reviewed Festivals on FilmFreeway (the number one film submission platform worldwide) the Ojai Film Festival continues to grow in prestige as one of the country’s premier destination festivals. Dates this Read more…
Read Claudia Boyd-Barrett’s article about “An Evening with Sally Kellerman” in the Ventura County Star.
Ojai Film Festival honors Sally Kellerman with a special screening of her Oscar-nominated M.A.S.H., followed by a Q&A and reception. Sunday, June 3 at 4 PM – 8 PM Ojai Art Center 113 S Montgomery St. In continuing its program of recognizing outstanding actors, the Ojai Film Festival presents An Read more…
LETTER FROM OFF PRESIDENT, JON LAMBERT Good—no, TERRIFIC news! You will remember that the Ojai Playhouse was, for sixteen years, an integral part of our Festival. Until the disastrous water line break destroyed the historic building, forcing the festival to figure out how to convert the Chaparral auditorium into a Read more…
Marcia Gay Hardin will attend and participate in the Q&A after the screening of her film After Words on Saturday November 4, 7 pm. We also expect her to appear at the Festival’s Welcome Reception at 9 PM. Both events happen at the Ojai Art Center. Academy award winner Marcia Read more…
Live Read of script on Sunday, November 5, directed by Larry Swerdlove with a cast of Ojai actors From over 80 submissions, My Husband, the Dick emerged as the winner of the second annual Ojai Film Festival Screenplay Competition. My Husband, the Dick is about a struggling mystery author who Read more…
Ms. Hahn started acting in Ojai and now lives in Westlake Village where she attends Oaks Christian School. Actress Emily Hahn’s latest movie, Beautifully Broken, will debut at the Ojai Film Festival on Friday November 10. A former resident of Ojai who now lives in Westlake Village, Ms. Hahn has Read more…
If you would like to be a 2017 Festival Host, or know of anyone who would enjoy the experience, please contact Anne Shrage (our Filmmaker Liaison) at 805-640-1016 OR anneshrage@gmail.com. The stays are very short, usually 1 to 3 days, and all that needs to be provided is a separate Read more…
One of the most outstanding and respected actors of his generation, Ed Asner, will be honored for his body of work at this year’s festival. He is the winner of seven Emmy Awards, has acted in decades of feature films and lent his voice to animated programs. Asner has also Read more…
Saturday, July 29, 4 – 6:30 pm Meeting Room at Twice-Sold Tales Library Bookstore 121 E Ojai Ave, Ojai, CA 93023 This is a meet and greet for past volunteers and for people interested in helping out at this year’s Festival. Meet this year’s team leaders and learn more about Read more…
A Squirrel’s Tale Adventure Trailer from Forest Rain on Vimeo. Monday, November 6, 10 am, Ojai Art Center Theater 2016, USA, Director: Forest Rain, Producers: Malek Houlihan and Jami Deva; 5 min. A curious squirrel ventures out of his forest home and meets an alluring mermaid. Despite their differences, the Read more…
A Thousand Mothers (Trailer) from Lion’s Roar Foundation on Vimeo. Tuesday, November 7, 1 pm, Chaparral Auditorium Saturday, November 11, 4 pm, Ojai Art Center Theater 2016, USA, Director and Producer: Kim Shelton; 39 min. High above the majestic Irrawaddy River, a community of nuns redefines what it means to Read more…
Saturday, November 4, 7 pm, Ojai Art Center Theater Sunday, November 12, 7 pm, Chaparral Auditorium 2015, USA, Director and Producer: Juan Feldman; 91 min. Academy award winner Marcia Gay Harden stars as Jane, a bookish introvert who loses her job as a librarian and spirals into suicidal depression. Before Read more…
[fvplayer src=”https://ojaifilmfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/4ac38843-Trailer_ALIKE_No_dialogues.mp4″ splash=”https://ojaifilmfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Photo-2-2-600.jpg” width=”1280″ height=”720″] Friday, November 3, 7 PM, Ojai Art Center Theater Saturday, November 11, 7 PM, Chaparral Auditorium 2015, Spain, Directors: Daniel Martínez Lara and Rafa Cano Méndez, Producers: Daniel Martínez Lara and Nicolás Matji; 8 min. Copi is a devoted dad trying to teach his son, Read more…
Monday, November 6, 1 pm, Ojai Art Center Theater 2017, USA, Director: Zach Frankart, Producers: Joel Hodge and Diesel Pfingsten; 11 min. An ordinary young man ventures into the criminal underworld to search for a mysterious woman named Amy. When the man confronts a ruthless sex trafficking ring, he discovers Read more…
Friday, November 10, 1 pm, Chaparral Auditorium Sunday, November 12, 4 pm, Ojai Art Center Theater 2016, USA, Director: Daniel Chein, Producers: Helen Citlalli Shope and Sufen Yen; 12 min. Basha boasts idyllic mountain landscapes and notoriety as home to China’s “Last Tribe of Gunrunners.” As tourists flood the tiny Read more…
Saturday, November 4, 10 AM, Chaparral Auditorium Saturday, November 11, 1 PM, Ojai Art Center Theater 2016, USA, Director and Producer: Eric Heimbold; 17 min. A blind adventure writer teams up with the world’s first sustainable sushi chef in search of enlightenment. As the two men dive in the murky Read more…
Trailer for Catching Sight of Thelma & Louise from Far Beyond Film on Vimeo. Friday, November 10, 1 pm, Chaparral Auditorium Sunday, November 12, 4 pm, Ojai Art Center Theater 2016, USA, Director and Producer: Jennifer Townsend; 87 min. Take a dramatic and exciting ride with Thelma and Louise. Set Read more…
Catherine – Teaser Trailer from Sebastien Nuta on Vimeo. Friday, November 3, 7 PM, Chaparral Auditorium Thursday, November 9, 7 PM, Chaparral Auditorium 2017, USA, Director: Sebastien Nuta, Producer: Nasser Akkari; 15 min. A divorced, single mother succumbs to temptation and hires a male escort during her son’s visit with Read more…
Sunday, November 5, 4 – 6:30 PM Focus Earth workshop sponsored by Ojai Valley Land Conservancy (OVLC). Charged – The Eduardo Garcia Story will be shown followed by a panel. OVLC information booth available pre and post show.. – OAC Theater In 2011, Chef Eduardo Garcia was shocked with 2400 Read more…
Charlie vs Goliath — Teaser from Belly of the Beast on Vimeo. Wednesday, November 8, 1 pm, Chaparral Auditorium Sunday, November 12, 10 am, Ojai Art Center Theater 2016, USA, Director and Producer: Reed Lindsay; 75 min. A penniless, 75-year-old, former Catholic priest takes on establishment politics when he runs Read more…
Sunday, November 5, 4 pm, Chaparral Auditorium Sunday, November 12, 1 pm, Ojai Art Center Theater 2017, USA, Director and Producer: John Scheinfeld; 99 min. Set against the social, political and cultural landscape of the 20th century, Chasing Trane brings John Coltrane to life as a fully dimensional being, inviting Read more…
Friday, November 3, 4 PM, Ojai Art Center Theater Friday, November 10, 4 PM, Chaparral Auditorium 2016, USA, Director: Juan Avella, Producer: Sharon Waich B.; 11 min. Daivi is a devoted family man who does whatever it takes to support his son, including the occasional kidnapping. On his last job, Read more…
Citizen Trailer from Robby on Vimeo. Saturday, November 4, 1 PM, Chaparral Auditorium Sunday, November 12, 4 PM, Chaparral Auditorium 2017, USA, Director: Robert Bracker, Producer: Marissa Messina; 15 min. A female Border Patrol agent must choose between her job and her family when her 8-month’s pregnant sister gets deported. Read more…
Sunday, November 5, 4 pm, Chaparral Auditorium Sunday, November 12, 1 pm, Ojai Art Center Theater 2017, USA, Director: Ty Primosch, Producer: K-J Mathieson; 6 min. A corkscrew with a loose screw does battle with a giant bottle to unleash seven magical lightning bugs trapped inside. With no dialogue, Corky Read more…
Sunday, November 5, 1 pm, Chaparral Auditorium Tuesday, November 7, 7 pm, Chaparral Auditorium 2016, USA, Director: Randy Field, Producer: Randy Field and Michael Pickman; 11 min. Just about everybody’s heard of Jackie Robinson, the groundbreaking slugger who broke major league’s color barrier. However, very few Americans know Lester Rodney, Read more…
Friday, November 3, 4 PM, Ojai Art Center Theater Friday, November 10, 4 PM, Chaparral Auditorium 2017, USA, Directors: Hannah Bradford, Amanda Larsh, Nick McDonald, and Caroline Roffe, Producers: Amanda Larsh and Caroline Roffe; 14 min. For the youth of the Dzaleka Refugee Camp, dance is one of the few Read more…
Dear Death: trailer from Kate Isenberg on Vimeo. Sunday, November 5, 4 pm, Chaparral Auditorium Sunday, November 12, 1 pm, Ojai Art Center Theater 2016, USA, Director and Producer: Kate Isenberg; 7 min. Stewball, a bipedal horse working a dead-end job, craves stability and security above all else. When Death Read more…
Don’t Sell My Guitars Trailer 2017-04-12 from Lynn Montgomery on Vimeo. Monday, November 6, 10 am, Ojai Art Center Theater 2017, USA, Director and Producer: Lynn Montgomery; 20 min. Kenny Montgomery was picking Oklahoma cotton by the age of 5. At age 7, Kenny bought his first guitar from the Read more…
Duende: The Red Shoes New Trailer from Tina Love on Vimeo. Saturday, November 4, 1 PM, Ojai Art Center Theater Sunday, November 12, 1 PM, Chaparral Auditorium 2015, USA, Director: Tina Love, Producer: David Bradstreet; 10 min. A pastor’s wife gets more than she bargained for when she meets her Read more…
Early Mourning Teaser Trailer from LisaDonmallreeve17 on Vimeo. Sunday, November 5, 1 pm, Ojai Art Center Theater Saturday, November 11, 10 am, Ojai Art Center Theater 2017, USA, Director: Ben Hartley, Producer: Lisa Donmall-Reeve; 6 min. A successful photographer is living the life of her dreams in New York City. Read more…
Echo Park Blues Trailer from Michael Bofshever on Vimeo. Sunday, November 5, 1 pm, Chaparral Auditorium Tuesday, November 7, 7 pm, Chaparral Auditorium 2016, USA, Director: Michael Bofshever, Producer: Jacquelyn South; 17 min. What is the definition of success, and how does an artist balance a career with a personal Read more…
Saturday, November 4, 10 AM, Chaparral Auditorium Saturday, November 11, 1 PM, Ojai Art Center Theater 2015, USA, Director: Michael Bond, Producers: Michael Bond, Caro Kay, and Lara Lihiya; 18 min. Thirteen-year-old Anna must redefine her concept of family and herself when she discovers that her widower father is romantically Read more…
TrailerErlkoenig from Georges Schwizgebel on Vimeo. Sunday, November 5, 1 pm, Ojai Art Center Theater Saturday, November 11, 10 am, Ojai Art Center Theater 2015, Switzerland, Director: Georges Schwizgebel, Producers: Izabela Rieben and Georges Schwizgebel; 6 min. A sick little boy encounters the mysterious king of the elves during a Read more…
Faces of Santa Ana || Short Doc || trailer from Retina Cam Productions on Vimeo. Sunday, November 5, 7 pm, Ojai Art Center Theater Friday, November 10, 7 pm, Chaparral Auditorium 2015, USA, Director: Daud Sani, Producers: Wendy Campbell and Daud Sani; 14 min. Brian Peterson hasn’t touched a paintbrush Read more…
Fear, Love, and Agoraphobia-Trailer #2.5 from Alex D’Lerma on Vimeo. Monday, November 6, 1 pm, Ojai Art Center Theater 2016, USA, Director: Alex D’Lerma, Producer: Markus Linecker; 91 min. Chet is a 28-year-old agoraphobe who still lives with his mother. When she unexpectedly moves away, Chet searches for a new Read more…