Own Your Story: Teen Video Contest 2026 Official Rules & Guidelines

The Contest is open to legal residents of the United States who are between the ages of 13 and 17 at the time of entry. Participants must obtain permission from a parent or legal guardian to enter. By submitting an entry on your public social media page with #donthideitflauntit, participants confirm this permission has been obtained. The winner will be asked to provide written parental/guardian consent before the prize is awarded. 

Employees, officers, directors, and volunteers of DHIFI and their immediate family members are not eligible to enter.

To enter, participants must:

• Film an original video between 1 minute 30 seconds and 3 minutes in length
• Post the video to their own TikTok or Instagram account
• Make sure the account is set to public so DHIFI can view the submission
• Include the hashtag #DontHideItFlauntIt in the post caption

Your entry is submitted once your public post is live with the hashtag during the Contest Period.

Your entry should embody DHIFI’s theme: “The things that make me different, make me, me.”

Your video should be age-appropriate and describe:

• What makes you unique (visible or invisible)
• Your journey toward self-acceptance
• How you’ve been learning to accept what makes you, you

The difference you choose to highlight can be anything that makes you feel judged for who you are. Past examples have included a wide range of experiences such as struggles with mental health, religion, phobias, illness, special needs for yourself or a family member, limb difference, neurodiversity, non-traditional family structure, and so much more. No difference is too big or too small, if it’s part of your story, we want to hear it.

• How do my differences interact with each other to form who I am?
• How have my differences shaped my relationships with family, friends, and my community?
• How has my attitude toward my difference evolved over time?
• How do I celebrate what makes me unique?
• What do I wish others understood about my experience?

There is no single right way to share your story. Tell it YOUR way. Your video must be age-appropriate and can include:

• Talking directly to us on camera
• Photos or artwork
• A poem or spoken word piece
• Quotes that have inspired your journey
• Any creative combination of the above

The most important thing is that it’s authentic, original, and yours.

• One (1) entry per person
• Video must be original content created solely by the entrant
• Video must be between 1 minute 30 seconds and 3 minutes in length
• Video must be posted publicly on TikTok or Instagram with #DontHideItFlauntIt
• Content must be in English
• Content must not contain profanity, graphic violence, nudity, bullying, hate speech, or content that promotes discrimination of any kind
• Entries that do not meet these requirements will be disqualified

Two (2) Grand Prize winners will receive:

• One (1) Apple MacBook Air. Approximate Retail Value: $1,099.00.

Prize is non-transferable and may not be substituted or exchanged for anything of monetary value including cash. DHIFI Inc. reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value if the stated prize becomes unavailable or deny eligibility without a valid permission provided by a parent or legal guardian. The winner is responsible for any applicable taxes.

All eligible entries received during the Contest Period will be reviewed by DHIFI’s judging panel. Judges will evaluate entries based on the following criteria:

• Authenticity: Does the video feel genuine and true to the entrant’s personal experience?
• Alignment with DHIFI’s Mission: Does the entry embody the theme “The things that make me different, make me, me”?
• Courage & Vulnerability: Does the entrant show bravery in sharing their story?
• Creativity: Does the video use a creative and engaging approach to storytelling?
• Impact: Does the story inspire empathy, acceptance, and connection in the viewer?

DHIFI’s judging decisions are final and binding in all matters related to this Contest.

The winner will be selected within 14 days after the close of the Contest Period (by June 6, 2026). The winner will be notified via direct message on the platform where their entry was submitted. If a winner does not respond within 7 days of notification, DHIFI reserves the right to select an alternate winner.

We want to celebrate your story and respect your privacy. DHIFI will not repost, share, or feature any contest entries on its social media platforms, website, or promotional materials during the Contest Period. The winner’s video may be shared by DHIFI after the contest closes with written consent from a parent or legal guardian.

We take your teen’s privacy seriously. Contest entries are posted publicly on your child’s own TikTok or Instagram account, and DHIFI will not reshare any entries during the contest. If your child wins, we will reach out to obtain written consent from both the winner and a parent or legal guardian before sharing anything. Your child’s video will never be reposted without permission, and we will never sell or share any personal information collected through this contest.

We want this contest to be fair, fun, and meaningful for everyone. Here is the fine print: DHIFI reserves the right to cancel, suspend, or modify the Contest at any time if something unexpected happens that is out of our control. We are not responsible for entries that are lost, late, or incomplete. By entering, you agree to these rules and DHIFI’s decisions, which are final. Participants also release DHIFI and its team from any liability related to participation in the Contest or use of the prize. This Contest is governed by the laws of the State of New Jersey.

For questions about the Own Your Story Contest, please contact DHIFI at: dhifi.inc@gmail.com

For more information about Don’t Hide It, Flaunt It and our programs, visit donthideitflauntit.org