Ojai’s film festival has not rested on the success of last year’s events but has instead spent time making friends with its neighbors in Ventura.

The newly named Ojai-Ventura International Film Festival recently announced its partnership with Brooks Institute in Ventura — a collaboration that organizers believe will create more space for moviegoers to watch independent films and listen to directors and screenwriters.

“We expect to serve a broader audience and attract more visitors from outside of the area,” said festival president David Shor. “We’ve set up a plan to develop a footprint beyond Ojai and Ventura and become a regional film festival with a destination aspect.” Still in the planning stages, the festival will run from Nov. 5 through Nov. 8.