Gettysburg Film Festival

06/03/2026

History truly came to life at the 2026 festival with the Continental Army encampment!

Did you get a chance to meet the living historians in April?

(Photos by Gettysburg Images)

05/22/2026

As America's 250th anniversary draws closer, we're reminded of the Founding Fathers who started it all.

This past film festival, we explored the life of George Washington with Ken Burns, Rick Atkinson, Jake Boritt, and the man who brought the modern major general to life in "Hamilton," Christopher Jackson.

Raise your hand if you were in the room where it happened✋

Photos by Gettysburg Images

04/17/2026

WOW! Thank you to everyone who made this year's Gettysburg Film Festival such an incredible success.

From our hosts, Gettysburg History and the American Battlefield Trust, to our incredible partners, speakers (headlined by our friend Ken Burns), reenactors, staff, volunteers, and, of course, our enthusiastic and engaged audience, THANK YOU!

We'd also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our friend Dave Johnson of Gettysburg Images, the official photographer of the Gettysburg Film Festival. As usual, he knocked it out of the park. We're grateful for Dave's hard work, talent, and his knack for capturing the spirit of the festival every year.

04/16/2026

A special announcement about a documentary our Festival Director Jake Boritt has been hard at work on. More details below!

Coming this July, a new film tells the Gettysburg story you haven't heard 🎥

When Michael Shaara wrote "The Killer Angels," he never knew the novel would go on to inspire Ken Burns' Civil War documentary series, a Ron Maxwell film, and lead millions to visit the Gettysburg battlefield.

"The Gettysburg Book" film tells the story of "The Killer Angels" through the eyes of Michael Shaara’s son Jeff and daughter Lila. Commentary on the book’s enduring reach comes from Gettysburg film cast members Martin Sheen, Jeff Daniels, and Stephen Lang, as well as the film’s director, Ron Maxwell, and historians Gary Gallagher, Carrie Janney, and Scott Hartwig.

The film by Jake Boritt and Gordon Beittenmiller, produced by Gettysburg History, will premiere on July 3rd at 7:30 p.m. at the Majestic Theater. A panel discussion will follow featuring the filmmakers, bestselling author Jeff Shaara, and award-winning actor Stephen Lang, who narrates the film.

Reserve your tickets: https://gettysburgmajestic.showare.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=435

04/07/2026

04/05/2026

You just had to be in the room where it happened! Day 3 of the Gettysburg Film Festival began with an electrifying surprise performance by Okieriete Onaodowan, who played Hercules Mulligan and James Madison in the original Broadway cast of Hamilton.

Okieriete then joined his former castmates Phillipa Soo (Elizabeth Schuyler-Hamilton) and Christopher Jackson (George Washington) for an on-stage conversation about the cultural phenomenon that is Hamilton.

Ken Burns, Sam Waterston, Annette Gordon-Reed, and Harold Holzer shared their insight into the lives of Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln. Visitors had the opportunity to get their books signed by Annette and Harold at the conclusion of the program.

Student filmmakers from The Better Angels Society screened their incredible films over the past two days, impressing not only our audience but Ken Burns as well.

Ken returned to the stage with historian Geoffrey C. Ward to discuss voices of the Revolution before musicians Jay Ungar and Molly Mason brought the event to a conclusion with their exceptional talents.

Throughout the festival, the Continental Army encampment brought history to life and immersed visitors in the past.

Thank you to all who attended and made this festival our best yet! Stay tuned for 2027 Gettysburg Film Festival announcements.

04/04/2026

That was one for the history books! Day 2 of the Gettysburg Film Festival included an astounding performance by Hamilton star Christopher Jackson, a discussion with actors from TURN: Washington's Spies, a sneak preview of the upcoming Gettysburg 1863 film, a Continental Army encampment, powerful conversations with Ken Burns, Rick Atkinson, General Stanley McChrystal, Garry Adelman, Jake Boritt, Kris White, Jared Frederick, and more!

The excitement continues Saturday for our third and final day of the festival. Visit Gettysburgfilmfestival.org to get your tickets!

04/04/2026

George Washington meets George Washington at the festival today!

04/03/2026

That’s a wrap on Day 1 of the Gettysburg Film Festival!

We kicked the day off with a special preview of Gettysburg Beyond the Battle Museum's new exhibit, The Spirit of 1776, in the Alexander Dobbin Special Exhibit Gallery. Then we explored the “American Revolution in Popular Culture” in our first public program of the day before diving into “Commanders and Chiefs” to talk Washington, Grant, and Eisenhower. Tonight we’ll screen The Patriot film at R/C Gateway Theater 8.

Thank you to all who joined us. We can’t wait for Day 2!

If you’re attending this year, drop your festival photos in the comments and let us know which events you’re looking forward to next 📸