GETTYSBURG – The Gettysburg Film Festival returned May 8-11, drawing filmmakers, historians and the public to commemorate the legacy of World War II. The event took place in Gettysburg, a town steeped in history, where Abraham Lincoln once declared that democracy “shall not perish from the earth.”
Internationally acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns opened the festival on Thursday, May 8, in a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. Organizers said the festival aimed to honor stories of courage, sacrifice and the enduring fight for freedom.
Special guests included Martin Sheen, Robert Edsel, Susan Eisenhower, Stephen Lang and Trace Adkins, among others. Each brought unique perspectives to the festival’s focus on World War II and its lasting impact.
Attendees gathered for film screenings, panel discussions and special presentations. The festival’s setting in Gettysburg, where President Dwight D. Eisenhower returned after the war to find a home, provided a poignant backdrop for the event.
“The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you,” Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower once said, a sentiment echoed throughout the festival.
Organizers announced that the festival would continue to share stories that inspire reflection on the cost of war and the value of freedom. Details for next year’s event are expected to be released in the coming months.
