A mystery sponsor is looking for stories of real teens and twentysomethings who are trying to overcome the challenge of tough acne while still pursuing their passions.

For many teens and twentysomethings, when you’ve got tough acne, it feels like people see your acne before they see you, and that can often mean that it’s easier to keep your distance than it is to get close to someone, physically and emotionally. A lot of people will try to find a way to put up a shield and ignore it or hide from it. What’s really tough is that it comes at a time when you’re trying to really figure out who you are and what you’re all about - to figure out and show the world the real you - and the last thing you need is something that makes you feel like you’re unable to reach your full potential.

But everyone deserves the chance to put their best face forward and not have to worry about how others perceive them because of their acne. To show the world their true strengths and character. To be loved and appreciated for who they know they really are. To unflinchingly pursue their passions with courage and confidence, and be the best version of themselves. 

Along with a Mystery Sponsor, Tongal is looking for any and all engaging and true stories of real teens and twentysomethings with tough acne who, despite the challenges, are showing the world their true strength and character by pursuing what they excel at and love to do. So share your stories about someone striving to dance, build, swim, travel, cook, code, create, debate, or educate - and know that this small list is only the tip of the iceberg: we know that we can’t invent something as interesting and unique as the stories that you’ll share. Give us something great – something that will inspire and empower. Give us the real you.

Check out the Objectives section for more info…

The goal of this project is to source a total of THREE authentic stories of real teens and twentysomethings with real acne challenges, who are determined nonetheless to pursue what they excel at and show the world their true self. These stories should be positive, relatable, inspirational, and honest, and full of ups AND downs. We’re not looking for larger than life here, we’re looking for stories that acne sufferers can really identify with.

Stories can focus on any segment of life – school, work, family, friends, hobbies – and it can involve anything from a weekend pursuit to a lifelong interest or short term dream. 

--What You Need to Know:

• The three Winning Story subjects will have their Story filmed by a Tongal filmmaker and will be featured in a 90-second digital Video that will have national distribution online.
• These must be actual true Stories featuring real people. No actors.
• Submissions must include a 500 character or less summary of your Story subject, as well as a photo.
• When submitting on someone else’s behalf, please note that the subject must agree to participate for no compensation beyond the Story award. If a Story subject’s participation is contingent on a percentage of potential winnings from the Video phase and/or an additional casting fee then, they are not eligible to participate.
• Prizing for Stories is not paid until the subject has cooperated with a filmmaker selected by the Mystery Sponsor and the Video is completed.

--Target Audience: The content derived from the winning stories will be aimed at Generation Z and maturing millennials, male and female, all ethnicities, ages 16-24, who may be full or part-time students, and potentially juggling work with school and their own passions, while still being supported by their parents income. The ages of Story subjects should mirror this demographic. 

--Tone: Positive, inspirational, relatable, honest, empathetic. It’s important that your Stories also speak to the challenge of dealing with moderate to severe acne. 

--Exposure:  The content derived from the winning stories will be intended for use on digital and social media (inc. YouTube, Facebook, Instagram video and pre-roll advertising). 

This Project will be worth a total of $6,000 and consist of 1 Phase: a Story Phase. Be sure to read the following information carefully as well as the Official Rules.

PHASE 1: STORY – Submit your acne Story in 500 characters or less. Story submissions MUST include a photo of you (or of who you are referring), along with one of the applicable forms below. The winning Story submissions will receive $2000 each after the filming of their story is completed. Please read all of the below for details:

• IF YOU ARE SUBMITTING A STORY ON YOUR OWN BEHALF, YOUR PAYMENT IS CONTINGENT UPON YOUR PARTICIPATION AND COOPERATION WITH THE WINNING FILMMAKER SELECTED TO BRING YOUR STORY TO LIFE. YOU WILL RECEIVE $2000 UPON COMPLETION OF THE VIDEO AND YOUR COMPLETION OF THE WINNER’S AFFIDAVIT, IP ASSIGNMENT, AND (IF YOU ARE APPEARING ON SCREEN), THE TALENT RELEASE.
• IF YOU ARE SUBMITTING A STORY ON BEHALF OF SOMEONE ELSE, YOUR PAYMENT IS CONTINGENT UPON HIS/HER PARTICIPATION. YOU WILL RECEIVE $500 AND THE SUBJECT WILL RECEIVE $1500 UPON COMPLETION OF THE VIDEO AND THE SUBJECT’S COMPLETION OF THE WINNER’S AFFIDAVIT, IP ASSIGNMENT, AND IF THE SUBJECT IS APPEARING ON SCREEN, THE TALENT RELEASE.
• If you are submitting your own Story and are selected as a finalist, you will be required to provide this Story Cooperation Agreement (Story Owner’s Submission) . THIS IS NOT REQUIRED FOR INITIAL SUBMISSION.
• If you are submitting on behalf of someone else and are selected as a finalist, you will be required to provide this Story Cooperation Agreement (Submission On Another’s Behalf) . THIS IS NOT REQUIRED FOR INITIAL SUBMISSION.

FILMMAKERS WILL BE SELECTED FOR EACH STORY IN A SEPARATE PROJECT THAT WILL LAUNCH IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE WINNING STORIES ARE SELECTED HERE.  THE FILMMAKER IS NOT REQUIRED TO OFFER ANY COMPENSATION TO THE SUBJECT.

1. Unless provided otherwise, all work must be your own original creation and free of any copyrighted material. You shall provide detailed information of your work regarding the source, the creator and background information as requested by Tongal.

2. In the event you utilize any third party materials, such as music provided by a third-party music provider not provided by Tongal, you must obtain full written license and consent from the owner of such third party materials and provide such license and consent forms to Tongal.

3. BY SUBMITTING AN ENTRY, YOUR SUBMISSION IMMEDIATELY BECOMES THE SOLE PROPERTY OF TONGAL OR ITS ASSIGNEES – SEE OFFICIAL RULES FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT OWNERSHIP OF ENTRIES. YOU MAY NOT PUBLICLY SHARE OR PUBLISH YOUR SUBMISSION IN ANY MANNER AND YOU MAY NOT POST OR UPLOAD YOUR SUBMISSION TO ANY WEBSITE OR  (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE OR VIMEO), WITHOUT THE PRIOR EXPRESS WRITTEN CONSENT OF TONGAL.  FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS REQUIREMENT MAY RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION OF YOUR ENTRY IN THE PROJECT.

4. Submissions cannot contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.

5. Submissions must not portray Sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Sponsor.

6. By submitting to this project, you acknowledge that your work may become subject to public voting on the Tongal site. Public voting may be used to help the project sponsor determine the final rank order.

7. Limit 5 submissions per member, per Phase.

8. You must be at least thirteen (13) years or older to enter.

9. In the event that fewer than 100 Ideas are received, the Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest for up to fourteen (14) days at their discretion.

10. Winners must complete the standard Tongal W-9, Winner Affidavit, and IP Assignment.

11. See OFFICIAL RULES for additional contest information, terms and conditions. If there is any conflict or inconsistency between these requirements and the Official Rules, the terms and conditions of these requirements shall prevail.