Tucked into the scenic Central Coast of California, just a short drive from Ventura, lies Ojai—a Mediterranean-style high desert oasis famous for its thriving arts scene, local olive oil tastings, pixie tangerines, and the magical pink glow of the Topatopa mountains at sunset. But beyond its natural charm, Ojai boasts a deeply rooted cultural treasure that comes alive every summer: the Ojai Film Society.

Founded in 1988 by a passionate group of local filmmakers, the nonprofit organization has spent nearly four decades bringing eclectic, thought-provoking cinema to the valley. Today, under the leadership of award-winning documentary filmmaker and President Nicholas Weissman, the Society is spearheading a vibrant post-pandemic revival, using the power of free outdoor cinema to heal and reconnect the community.

Listen to the Big Blend Radio podcast episode with Nicholas Weissman and enjoy the conversation highlights below:

At the heart of this summer tradition is the historic Libbey Bowl, a gorgeous 60-to-70-year-old amphitheater nestled right in the center of town. Originally built for the renowned Ojai Music Festival, the venue seats roughly 1,000 people and serves as the perfect open-air theater.

Every summer, thousands of residents and tourists pack their picnic baskets and lawn chairs to gather under the night sky. As the high desert temperature drops to a comfortable 60 degrees, the silver screen lights up against a backdrop of rustling trees and starlight.

"What we try to provide is just a really nice environment to connect with neighbors and just enjoy cinema together outdoors," says Weissman.

In a modern landscape heavily dominated by streaming algorithms and isolated phone screens, the simple act of watching a movie with a crowd feels radical. The Ojai Film Society makes it a point to break down the financial barriers that often keep families apart. In an era where a simple night out for dinner and a movie can easily top $100, the Society’s summer series remains entirely free.

Because Ojai fiercely protects its local economy—banning major corporate chain stores from setting up shop—the entire film series is funded by a tight-knit "mom-and-pop" network of local business sponsors. This hyper-local support allows the nonprofit to run a world-class community event on a lean budget, ensuring that anyone—from ages 5 to 95—can show up and participate.

Curating the perfect lineup is no small feat. A dedicated 17-person screening committee meets throughout the fall to watch, debate, and select six distinct films for the summer. The goal? To strike a beautiful balance between beloved crowd-pleasers like Jurassic Park or Best in Show and impactful independent projects that deserve a larger spotlight.

For Weissman, who balances his role at the Society with directing and producing at the documentary studio Vacation Land, protecting independent cinema is personal. Distribution roads for indie filmmakers are notoriously brutal; even critically acclaimed hits out of festivals like Sundance can get locked up in legal battles or buried in the endless sea of digital content.

By partnering with major entities like National Geographic and Netflix for community impact screenings, the Ojai Film Society gives these vital films a second life.

"Impact to me is probably the most important thing," Weissman explains. "We get wonderful feedback from the directors, particularly the documentary directors who come out and rarely get to have 300-plus people come see their film. For the price of just showing up, it's an opportunity for people to be impacted by something."

If you are looking to escape the hustle of the city, taste some local wine, and experience the nostalgia of community cinema under the stars, the Ojai Film Society’s "Wild is the Night" Summer Screening Series is the perfect excuse for a California getaway.

Catch the remaining schedule for the 2026 season at the Libbey Bowl:

To learn more about upcoming screenings, partnerships, or how to support the organization, visit Ojai Film Society. To explore Nicholas Weissman’s documentary work, visit Vacation Land Film.