Tackling a national topic, “Gone Guys” documentary is showing around the U.S., and since its premiere in Vermont in July 2025, it has screened at over 100 community events. The film invites viewers into a timely, necessary conversation about the challenges facing boys and young men today. Since premiering in 2025, the documentary has been drawing crowds to screenings paired with thoughtful community discussions.
Hosted by The Mayhew Program, the film screens on Wednesday, September 2 at 6 p.m. at the Sweeney Hall Auditorium on the NHTI Campus with a panel discussion to follow.
The Mayhew Program is thrilled to share the film due to its important work with deserving New Hampshire boys. The Mayhew Program has worked with over 2,500 boys, helping them to become their best since 1969. Mayhew challenges and helps at-risk New Hampshire boys to believe in themselves, work well with others and find their best. It is the only all-boys program in the state that combines school-year mentoring and a residential summer program for at-risk boys, tuition-free, through high school graduation. All Mayhew participants benefit from regular mentoring visits in their home communities from Mayhew’s team of professional outreach staff in one-on-one and small group settings throughout the year. The focus is on helping the boys apply the program ideals of respect, responsibility, community, and challenge to their lives at home, school and beyond.
Produced by Well Told Films and made possible with leadership support from The Richard E. & Deborah L. Tarrant Foundation and the Vermont Community Foundation, “Gone Guys” explores the growing disconnection many boys face in school, work, and community life — and how that disconnection is reshaping the social fabric of boys’ lives.
Through personal stories, striking data, and expert insight, the film examines how issues like struggles in school, loneliness, and even radicalization are taking root in the lives of young men — and what communities can do about it.
“This is an issue we are hearing more and more about from parents, educators, business owners, and others,” said Dan Smith, President & CEO of the Vermont Community Foundation. “Something is out of sync for many boys and young men, and it’s showing up in classrooms, job sites and communities. As a community, we must hold two truths at once: that advancing opportunity for women and girls remains essential — and that boys and young men are struggling in ways we can no longer ignore. “Gone Guys” invites us to face that complexity with care, curiosity and a willingness to listen.”
The tour continues with more locations to be announced. To host a screening, watch the trailer, and learn more, visit goneguysfilm.com.
About the Film
Over the past fifty years, boys and young men have steadily disengaged from school, work and broader society. They’re falling behind academically, struggling with loneliness and isolation, and facing rising rates of substance abuse and suicide.
“Gone Guys,” a 45-minute documentary, draws on the influential work of Richard V. Reeves’ “Of Boys and Men,” illuminating these challenges through powerful data and compelling personal stories. Many of us have experienced these issues first-hand, but it can be difficult to talk about them. It’s not an either-or choice: caring more about boys and men does not mean caring less about women and girls.
Set in rural Vermont, the film brings national data to life with engaging animation accompanying lived experience featuring young men, educators, mentors and trailblazing programs that are working to re-engage boys and young men in their communities and reshape their futures.