top of page

365d

24h

60m

60s

We're counting down to the full FND In Focus competition launch - coming FND Awareness Day (April 13th)!

FND In Focus
Annual Video Competition

Lights, Camera, Awareness - Bring FND Into Focus!

Tell a story. Spark a conversation. Create change in under 60 seconds.

​

FND In Focus is an annual video competition hosted by Not Defined By FND. This initiative is not simply a contest. It is a creative forum, a call to advocacy, and a platform for voices willing to challenge stigma and illuminate the lived reality of FND. Students, emerging filmmakers, digital creators, and storytellers of every background are invited to harness the impact of visual media to help the world better understand what FND is and what it is not.

​

Each year, participants across the United States submit compelling, original videos centered on a unique annual theme. The challenge is to keep it under sixty seconds. The potential impact reaches far beyond the screen.

 

Whether you are raising awareness, sharing a personal story, disrupting misconceptions, or lending your talent to a meaningful cause, your contribution matters.

Jump to:

The 5 W's of FND in Focus

Who Can Participate

  • Open to everyone nationwide (USA)

  • No experience necessary

  • Entrants under 18 require parent/guardian permission

  • Individual creators and teams may enter

  • One entry permitted per person or team per year

What to Submit

Make a short, original video based on this year’s theme. Be creative, be real — make it yours. Check this year’s video requirements before submitting to ensure your video meets all guidelines.

When It Happens

Annual cycle (dates updated each year)

​

Phase                                     Timeline

Submissions Open                 Early November

Submission Deadline             Late January

Judging                                  February

Winners Announced              March 25th (FND Awareness Day – UK)

Winners Showcased              April 13th (FND Awareness Day)

Where Videos are Featured

Winning and selected entries may appear:

  • On our website and social media channels

  • During our FND Awareness Events

  • In outreach to press and partner organizations

  • And more!

Why participate

  • Help advance public understanding of FND

  • Challenge stigma through informed, compelling storytelling

  • Use your creative talent to support individuals and communities affected by FND

  • Amplify perspectives that are often overlooked in mainstream media

  • Earn the opportunity for significant recognition of your work, including public showcasing, audience engagement, and visibility across advocacy networks

About the Annual Theme

The theme sets the tone - you bring the vision.

​

Each year, the FND in Focus video competition features a unique theme designed to spark creativity, raise awareness, and elevate real experiences within the Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) community.

​

The annual theme provides direction and inspiration — but how you interpret and express it is completely up to you. Whether through storytelling, education, art, humor, animation, or personal reflection, we encourage participants to share their voices in meaningful and authentic ways.

​

The theme changes annually to highlight different perspectives and conversations surrounding FND, helping the world see this condition through new lenses, challenge stigma, and amplify hope, understanding, and empowerment.

FND Is.png

Submission Guidelines

📌 Important: Submission guidelines are subject to change. For final and official rules, requirements, and instructions, please refer to the current competition year page.

Each submission should reflect the annual theme and the mission of empowering the FND community through authentic storytelling, creativity, and accurate representation.

​

While specific requirements may vary each year, submissions typically must:

  • Be original and created by the participant or team

  • Follow the annual theme

  • Stay within the designated time limit

  • Use only copyright-free or properly licensed music, images, and content

  • Maintain accuracy and sensitivity when representing FND

  • Meet video format and citation requirements

  • All content must be respectful, non-harmful, and appropriate for a public awareness campaign.

Awards & Recognition

📌 Important: Prize availability and structure may vary annually. For full prize details, visit the page for the current competition year.

Each year, the FND in Focus competition honors outstanding creativity, storytelling, and advocacy through two prize categories:

Not Defined By FND Award

(Judges’ Choice)

​

Selected by our panel of judges, this award recognizes videos that demonstrate exceptional creativity, accuracy, impact, and alignment with the annual theme.

People's Choice Award

​

Determined by community voting, this award celebrates the video that resonates most with the public and inspires widespread awareness and engagement.

Prizes may include items such as:


✅ Digital awards & certificates
✅ Public recognition on our website & social media
✅ Feature in our awareness events & outreach efforts
✅ Highlighted in our online video gallery
✅ Additional items such as merchandise or gift cards (when available)

​

All prizes and recognition opportunities are subject to sponsorships, donations, and availability and may differ each year. Details for current-year prizes will be provided on the official competition page.

About Our Judges

Help shape the first-ever FND In Focus competition! If you’re interested in being a judge, fill out our short interest form to let us know.

Each year, the FND In Focus competition is evaluated by a diverse panel of judges who bring passion, expertise, and lived understanding to the review process. Our panel may include:

​

  • FND warriors and supporters

  • Healthcare and mental health professionals

  • Media, film, and creative industry professionals

  • Advocates, educators, and community leaders

  • Supporters dedicated to spreading awareness and reducing stigma

​

Our judges volunteer their time to ensure a fair, meaningful, and inspiring competition — and to help elevate powerful voices within the FND community.

​

To maintain fairness and transparency, each judge reviews all submissions using a standardized scoring rubric. Judges are screened for potential conflicts of interest and operate under confidentiality guidelines.

​

Want to see who’s judging this year? 

Judge profiles will be shared on the official competition page if a judge has chosen to provide their information publicly. Some judges may choose to remain anonymous for privacy or professional reasons — and we honor that option.

Our Sponsors & Partners

The FND In Focus video competition is made possible through the support of our generous sponsors, partners, and collaborators who share our mission to raise awareness, educate, and empower the Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) community.

​

Each year, local organizations, educational institutions, businesses, and individuals join us to:

  • Support creativity and advocacy through sponsorships or donations

  • Help provide prizes, recognition, and awareness opportunities for participants

  • Promote inclusion and understanding of FND through shared outreach

 

We are deeply grateful for the continued support that helps us make this competition possible and accessible to all.

​

💡 Interested in partnering or sponsoring? 

Whether you’re a business, school, organization, or individual, we’d love to collaborate! Contact us to explore sponsorship and partnership opportunities for future competitions.

FND In Focus - FAQ's

What is FND In Focus?

Please see Intro and "The 5 W's of FND in Focus".

 

Who can participate?

The competition is open to individuals and teams across the United States. Please see "The 5 W's of FND in Focus"​.

 

When does the competition open?

Video submissions will open on November 1, 2026. Key dates and deadlines will be shared with the theme announcement. Please see "The 5 W's of FND in Focus"​.

​

How long can my video be?

All submissions must be 60 seconds or less. Full video requirements will be shared with the theme announcement. 

​

Do I need to be a filmmaker or professional creator?

Not at all. FND In Focus is open to creators of all experience levels. Powerful storytelling matters more than production equipment.

​

Why is the competition open to U.S. participants only?

As a U.S.-based nonprofit, there are additional legal and regulatory considerations when awarding prizes internationally. Because this is our first year running the competition, we are limiting participation to the United States for now. Future years may expand eligibility, and we appreciate your understanding as we grow.

​

When will the theme be announced?

The first-ever competition theme will be revealed on FND Awareness Day (April 13, 2026). See Annual Theme. 

​

How will winners be selected?

There will be two ways to win (see Awards & Recognition):

  • A Judge’s Choice Award (Not Defined By FND Award), selected by a diverse panel of judges using an official rubric

  • A People’s Choice Award, selected through community voting

​

Where can I find more details?

Full competition details, guidelines, and submission instructions will be shared with the official theme announcement and posted on the competition webpage. We’ll be posting updates on our website, blog, and social media — follow along to stay connected and up to date!

Quick Links

bottom of page