the exclusive premiere
pressing play
MARCH 14TH 5-9PM La jolla
An intimate, raw memoir that journeys through the pain and passion, pressure and purpose, of one man’s quest to rediscover belonging.
VIP TICKET
A SEAT AT THE TABLE
For those who want the full experience—this is your all-access pass. Enjoy reserved seating for the premiere, and a bespoke gift to take home. Plus, savor elevated farm-to-table bites and premium cocktails, all in an intimate setting designed for deeper connection.
*Only VIP Tickets get a seat. General Admission is standing.* $85
GENERAL ADMISSION
Immerse Yourself
Step into an evening of storytelling, connection, and conversation. Your ticket gives you access to the premiere, the post-film discussion, and a lively atmosphere filled with curated bites and craft cocktails. Mingle, engage, and experience the energy of the night—this isn’t just a film, it’s a movement. $45
an evening of cinematic artistry and purposeful connection
Enter an exclusive art gallery in La Jolla for the premiere of Pressing Play, a deeply personal short film documentary that explores one man’s emotional journey to rediscover where he belongs.
Throughout the evening, you will indulge in expertly crafted cuisine and bespoke cocktails, surrounded by an atmosphere of elegance and artistic ambiance, creating a truly unforgettable experience of connection and inspiration.
Details
EXPERIENCE
5:00 PM – Doors Open & Welcome Reception
6:00 PM – Film Screening Begins
7:00 PM – Post-Film Discussion & Reflections
7:30 PM – Cocktail Hour & Connection
9:00 PM – Event Concludes (but the conversation continues)
Food + drink
Indulge in an exquisite selection of
farm-to-table bites, thoughtfully curated to complement the evening’s atmosphere. Enjoy a refined yet relaxed grazing experience featuring artisanal cheeses, seasonal small plates, and chef-crafted hors d’oeuvres. Sip on handcrafted cocktails and premium wines, designed to elevate conversation and connection.
venue
Nestled in the heart of Bird Rock, we will gather at Found Studio. Intimate yet spacious, stylish yet welcoming, it’s the perfect backdrop for an event that’s more than just a screening—it’s a gathering of minds, a celebration of storytelling, and a moment to connect. Here, every detail is designed to inspire, making it an ideal setting to honor the supporters who make this movement possible.
Found Studio
5490 La Jolla Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037
Dress code
Come as your most confident self. Whether that’s sleek and sophisticated or effortlessly cool, wear what makes you feel like you.
FILM
Pressing Play is a raw and honest exploration of identity, pressure, and belonging. The film is rated PG-13 and includes mature themes such as references to alcohol, sex, pornography, and strong language. While there are no explicit scenes, the film addresses real-life struggles that may not be suitable for young children. Parental discretion is advised.
Please have your ticket QR code ready to present upon arrival to Found Studio.
a message from the producer
To belong, is to come home to self. To walk into each room in your house, turn the light on, take a seat and get comfortable being there…
And when you’re comfortable, find the next room, turn the light on, and get comfortable. That is the journey I’m on. That is the journey we’re all on.
I was just looking for answers in the wrong houses.
Are you?
I believe that true belonging exists within a community of individuals who practice radical acceptance, who prioritize curiosity over judgement, and who follow the calling on their heart to be fully expressed.
It is what I am committed to returning to in my life. Again, and again and again. It is what I am called to traverse the globe, stewarding conversations about: walking young men home. To themselves, and inevitably, to one another.
This film aims to shine a light on the way in which we as a species have come to define, and search for, a sense of belonging.
My deepest hope is that we can begin a conversation that paves the way for a new approach…a redefinition…a mutual understanding, that belonging is not about being like one another, it is not about fitting in, but rather having the courage to be who you are, and accepting those around you for choosing to do the same.
- Billy Garton Jr.
why it matters.
the ABSENCE of belonging is the greatest wound never seen
as it always finds it's way out into the world under a different name…
Men account for 78% of all suicides in the U.S., with the highest rates among young men aged 15-24.
56.3% of men aged 19-22 say they feel deeply alone.
College men who experienced a lack of belonging were 3x more likely to engage in heavy alcohol and drug use.
1 in every 4 women will experience sexual violence in college.
