2025 Gettysburg Film Festival

Victory in World War II

Partner Event
May 8 - 11, 2025 @ 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM EDT

The Gettysburg Film Festival
Gettysburg, PA

The Gettysburg Film Festival returns May 8-11, 2025, focusing on the legacy of World War II. Internationally acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns will open the festival on Thursday, May 8th, marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (V-E) Day.

In the heart of Gettysburg, where Lincoln vowed that democracy “shall not perish from the earth” and Eisenhower returned from war to find a home, we’ll come together to share stories of courage, sacrifice, and the enduring fight for freedom.

“The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you.” – Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, June 5, 1944

 

Headliner Events

Thursday, May 8th

  • 10:00 AM: da Vinci to D-Day: The Art of Documentary Filmmaking – with Sarah Burns, David McMahon, and Jake Boritt (Tickets)
  • 1:30 PM: The Craft of Storytelling – with Ken Burns, Anna Deavere Smith, and Jake Boritt (Tickets)
  • 7:00 PM: Victory in Europe: 80 Years Later – with Ken Burns and Special Guests (Tickets) 

Friday, May 9th

  • 10:00 AM: Martin Sheen: A Legacy of American History on Screen – with Martin Sheen & Anna Deavere Smith (Tickets)
  • 2:30 PM: Saving Europe’s Art – with Robert Edsel and Susan Eisenhower (Tickets)
  • 7:00 PM: The Life and Execution of Private Eddie Slovik – with Martin Sheen and Joe Cosgrove
    Includes free admission to post-discussion screening of The Execution of Private Slovik  (Tickets)

Saturday, May 10th

  • 10:00 AM: Band of Brothers: Reflections from Cast, Crew, and Historians – with John Orloff, Matthew Leitch, J.D. Huitt, Erik Dorr, and more (Tickets)
  • 2:30 PM: Beyond Glory: A Screening and Conversation – with Stephen Lang and Garry Adelman (Tickets)
  • 7:00 PM: Reflecting on “Ike” – with Susan Eisenhower and Craig Symonds
    Includes free admission to post-discussion screening of Ike: Countdown to D-Day (Tickets)

Film Screenings 

Note: Individual Tickets Required. Due to varying audience capacity and overlapping programming with the headliner events, the film screenings below are not included with any sponsorship package. All screenings are held at the Majestic Theater unless otherwise noted.

 

Thursday, May 8

  • 10:30 AM: The War: Pride of Our Nation (Tickets)
  • 10:45 AM: The War: FUBAR (Tickets)
  • 1:15 PM: The U.S. and the Holocaust: “The Homeless, Tempest-Tossed” (Tickets)
  • 1:45 PM: The War: The Ghost Front – with Sarah Kay Bierle (Tickets)
  • 4:00 PM: Jazz: Dedicated to Chaos (Tickets)
  • 4:20 PM: The War: A World Without War – with Mark Frederick (Tickets)

Friday, May 9

  • 10:25 AM: The Monuments Men – with Robert Edsel (Tickets)
  • 10:30 AM: The Rape of Europa (Tickets)
  • 1:00 PM: The Story of G.I. Joe (Tickets)
  • 1:45 PM: Invisible Warriors – with Gregory Cooke and Alisha Sanders (Tickets)
  • 3:10 PM: The True Glory (Tickets)
  • 3:50 PM: Behind the Lines – with John Benitz, Andrew Carroll, and Jake Boritt (Tickets)
  • 9:00 PM: Saving Private Ryan – with Chris MoweryGNMP Museum & Visitor Center (Tickets)

Saturday, May 10

  • 9:15 AM: There is Another Way – with Stephen Apkon, Marcina Hale, and Stephen Lang (Tickets)
  • 9:30 AM: Memphis Belle (Tickets)
  • 11:45 AM: The Big Red One (Tickets)
  • 12:30 PM: Band of Brothers: Day of Days – with John Orloff and Jared Frederick (Tickets)
  • 2:00 PM: A Bridge Too Far (Tickets)
  • 2:15 PM: Band of Brothers: Crossroads – with Ian Isherwood (Tickets)
  • 3:50 PM: Band of Brothers: Why We Fight – with John Orloff and Kristopher White (Tickets)
  • 9:00 PM: The Six Triple Eight – with Kevin Hymel and Alisha SandersGNMP Museum & Visitor Center (Tickets)

Sunday, May 11

  • 6:30 PM: Schindler’s List – with Garry AdelmanGNMP Museum & Visitor Center (Tickets)

Additional Events & Activities

The following events are free and open to the public. No tickets or registration required. 

  • Wednesday, May 7 (8:00 PM): The Great Escape – Outdoor Film Screening at Seminary Ridge with Bo Brinkman and Jim Udden (Info)
  • Saturday, May 10 (12:30 PM): Meet & Greet Guests from Band of Brothers, Gettysburg Museum of History (Info)
     
  • Saturday, May 10 (1:15 PM): Book Signing – Craig Symonds, Jeff Shaara, and Kevin HymelBeyond the Battle Museum (Info)
  • Sunday, May 11 (1:00 PM): Book Signing – Michel Paradis, Michael Birkner, and Carol HegemanBeyond the Battle Museum (Info)

 

Featured Attractions

While you’re in town, visit these must-see attractions. 

  • Beyond the Battle Museum – WWII & Eisenhower Exhibits (Info)
  • Eisenhower National Historic Site – Ike & Mamie’s Farm (Info)
  • Gettysburg Museum of History – Major Dick Winters Collection (Info)
  • Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center – Eisenhower Exhibit (Info)
  • WWII American Experience Museum – Military Vehicles & Stories (Info)

Please Note: The festival’s schedule, content, and guests are subject to change without notice. 

Contact
The Gettysburg Film Festival
717-334-4723, ext. 101