Thank you for your interest in supporting the first-ever FND In Focus Annual Video Competition! 

Judges play a crucial role in helping us highlight creative, impactful videos that raise awareness and understanding of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND).

This page includes everything you need to know about serving as a judge, from eligibility and responsibilities to the scoring process.

Why Serve as a Judge?

As a judge, you will:

• Help celebrate stories that challenge misconceptions about FND.

• Support the recognition of creative, thoughtful, and informative videos.

• Contribute to an inclusive, fair, and transparent evaluation process.

We strive to build a panel that reflects diverse perspectives, including FND warriors and supporters, medical professionals, creatives, and other experts.

Judge Eligibility

Judges may be located anywhere in the world, even though FND In Focus submissions are limited to participants in the United States.

Judges should have relevant experience, knowledge, perspective, or insight through areas such as:

• Lived experience

• FND advocacy or community involvement

• Healthcare or professional expertise

• Education or research

• Creative or media experience

• Other relevant experience connected to the competition

Judges must be available during the judging period February 8–21, 2027 and complete all required judge materials and agreements.

Judge Responsibilities

Complete the Judge Interest Form

Provide basic information and confirm your availability and interest. Selection is not guaranteed.

Review the Judging Materials

Selected judges will receive a Judge Packet and the official scoring rubric. Judges should review these materials before scoring begins.

Score Videos Fairly & Thoughtfully

• Score each video using the rubric categories (1-5 points each):

  • • Relevance to Theme: How clearly and thoughtfully does the video address the annual competition theme?

    • Accuracy & Responsibility: How accurately and responsibly does the video represent FND?

    • Creativity & Originality: How unique and imaginative is the concept and execution?

    • Storytelling & Communication: How effectively does the video tell a story or communicate its message?

    • Impact & Clarity: How impactful and clear is the video overall?

• Judges may also award up to 5 bonus points for exceptional creativity, editing, storytelling, presentation, or overall execution beyond the standard category scores.

• Optional: Provide written feedback to support participant growth

Meet Judging Deadlines

Complete all assigned scoring within the designated timeframe to ensure the competition stays on schedule.

Maintain Confidentiality & Integrity

• Do not download, share, or distribute videos outside of the judging process

• Treat all submissions with respect and impartiality

Disclose Potential Conflicts of Interest

Judges must promptly disclose any potential conflict of interest.

A conflict does not automatically mean a judge cannot participate. The Not Defined By FND team will determine the appropriate next step, which may include reassignment of a submission.

Follow the Judge Agreement & Code of Conduct

Adhere to all guidelines outlined in the agreement, including professionalism, respect, and ethical participation.

Communicate with the Team

Judges should contact the Not Defined By FND team with questions, technical problems, potential conflicts, or concerns about the judging process—we’re here to support you throughout the process.

Judging Process

• Video Review & Scoring: Judges receive assignments and score their assigned videos using the official rubric.

• Multiple Reviews: Videos are assigned to multiple judges when reasonably possible, with assignments adjusted as needed for the size of the judging panel and potential conflicts.

• Final Scores: Judges' scores are averaged to determine final scores for Judge's Choice.

• Tie-breakers: If needed, tied scores are reviewed using the following order: 

Relevance → Accuracy → Creativity → Storytelling → Impact

Additional review may be conducted if a tie remains.

• People’s Choice Exclusion: Judge’s Choice winners are not included in public voting, giving more participants a chance to be recognized.

• Honorable Mentions: Judges do not conduct a separate Honorable Mention vote. Regular judging scores are used in the Honorable Mention calculation.

Recognition & Feedback

Judges may be recognized on the FND in Focus competition website and in competition-related materials, based on their preferences and approved profile information.

Judges' contributions help determine which videos receive Judge's Choice recognition and may also support Honorable Mention selection.

We are grateful for the time, knowledge, perspective, and care judges bring to the competition!

How to Join as a Judge

1. Complete the Judge Interest Form
Submit the Judge Interest Form to express your interest in participating. Please note that this is not a guaranteed placement, as judge positions are limited. We strive to build a balanced and diverse panel representing lived experience, advocacy, professional expertise, and creative perspectives.

2. Selection & Welcome Packet
If selected, you will receive a Judge Welcome Packet with detailed information about your role, judging expectations, and next steps.

3. Complete the Judge Information Form 
Selected judges will be asked to complete a form to gather details for the official competition website, such as your bio, title, headshot, and optional links (website or social media).

**This form also includes the Judge Agreement & Code of Conduct, which must be reviewed and accepted.**

4. Profile Review & Approval 
Once your materials are submitted, you will receive a preview of your judge profile to review and approve before it is published.

5. Review Judging Materials
You will receive a Judge Packet that includes the scoring rubric and detailed instructions. Please review these materials carefully to ensure you feel confident in the judging process. Our team is always available if you have questions.

6. Begin Scoring
When judging begins, you will receive a separate email with secure links to the scoring forms and video submissions.