Acclaimed Filmmaker Ken Burns To Appear With Special Guests On The 80th Anniversary of V-E Day
Gettysburg, PA – The Gettysburg Film Festival will return from May 8-11, 2025, with a focus on the legacy of World War II. Internationally acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns will open the four-day festival, which will include a full slate of programs, discussions, and screenings.
Gettysburg is where President Abraham Lincoln vowed that democracy “shall not perish from the earth” and where General Dwight D. Eisenhower returned from victory in a global war to find a home. The festival will bring together notable filmmakers, storytellers, historians, public figures, and veterans to reflect on the themes of courage, sacrifice, and the enduring fight for freedom. The 2025 festival will honor the stories of those who served, as well as the impact of World War II on generations that followed.
“World War II is both a defining moment in American history and a rich subject for filmmakers. We are excited to have Ken Burns return to Gettysburg along with other filmmakers exploring history that is crucial to a deeper understanding of our American story,” said Festival Director Jake Boritt.
Andrew Dalton, producer of the festival, added, “This is a moment for us to come together in a place that holds so much history—a place that has and will continue to guide the nation forward.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Ken Burns and this extraordinary group of experts to Gettysburg for our film festival,” said Gettysburg College President Bob Iuliano. “The festival honors not only the power of storytelling but also the courage and wisdom of General Eisenhower—a leader whose legacy continues to inspire our College and our community today.”
Tickets for the Gettysburg Film Festival will go on sale in February 2025. For more information about the event, please visit GettysburgFilmFestival.org.
About the Gettysburg Film Festival: The Gettysburg Film Festival showcases American history on screen, from documentaries to feature films and emerging media. Launched and inspired by Ken Burns and his award-winning craft, the festival aims to bring Americans together in a shared appreciation of our history and the stories that make us who we are.