5-05-2025 4:21am

Ken Burns Headlines

2025 Festival: Schedule and Tickets Available Now

Complimentary Student Passes

Thanks to the generous support of the American Battlefield Trust, the Gettysburg Film Festival is pleased to offer a limited number of complimentary tickets to K-12 public school students and current K-12 teachers for select events.

Reserve Tickets

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. Special guests include Martin Sheen, Robert Edsel, Susan Eisenhower, Stephen Lang, Trace Adkins, and more.

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

For a list of exclusive meals, limited-capacity programs, and other opportunities, click here to become a sponsor and secure your festival pass.

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 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 and Melissa Fitzgerald (SOLD OUT)
2:30 PM: Saving Europe’s Art – with Robert Edsel, Susan Eisenhower and Harold Holzer (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, Mark Lawrence, Dale Dye, J.D. Huitt, Erik Dorr, and more (Tickets)
2:30 PM: Beyond Glory: A Screening and Conversation – with Stephen Lang, Trace Adkins, and Garry Adelman (Tickets)
7:00 PM: Reflecting on “Ike” – with Susan Eisenhower and Craig Symonds
Includes a special performance of The National Anthem by Trace Adkins, and 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 8th

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 9th

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 Jean Green (Tickets)
3:10 PM: The True Glory (Tickets)
3:50 PM: Behind the Lines – with John Benitz and Andrew Carroll (Tickets)
9:00 PM: Saving Private Ryan – with Chris Mowery and Dale Dye – GNMP Museum & Visitor Center (Tickets)

Saturday, May 10th

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 Sanders – GNMP Museum & Visitor Center (Tickets)

Sunday, May 11th

6:30 PM: Schindler’s List – with Wayne Motts – GNMP 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)
Friday, May 9 (4:00 PM): Book Signing – Robert Edsel and Susan Eisenhower (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 Hymel – Beyond the Battle Museum (Info)
Sunday, May 11 (1:00 PM): Book Signing – Michel Paradis, Michael Birkner, and Carol Hegeman – Beyond 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)
- From May 8-10, NPS will offer 5:30 p.m. ranger-guided walking tours of WWII burial sites in the Gettysburg National Cemetery. These programs are free and will last for approximately one hour (Info)
WWII American Experience Museum – Military Vehicles & Stories (Info)
- Tank rides will also be available at the WWII American Experience Museum on Saturday, May 10th. For pricing and additional information, click here.