Follow Your Dream Foundation celebrates the extraordinary journeys of individuals who overcome adversity and inspire change
ABOUT
Nancy Svendsen
President and Filmmaker
Nancy started Follow Your Dream Foundation Inc., a 501(c)3 organization, as a place to incubate and launch powerful stories that can influence people’s lives.
Film Projects
PASANG
The story of Pasang Lhamu Sherpa, the indigenous trailblazer who battled racism, gender discrimination, and political opposition in her quest to become the first Nepali woman to summit Mt. Everest. Her courageous, tragic journey would greatly move her country, inspiring new generations to reach for their rights.
I IN 3
Cancer affects 1 in 3 women and 1 in 2 men, making it a reality no one can ignore. This film explores the groundbreaking advances in cancer care—from personalized medicine and immunotherapy to gene treatments. Yet beyond these, a lesser-known realm of therapies is transforming outcomes, easing the cancer journey, and enhancing the effectiveness of Western medicine. Discover how researchers are reviving ancient practices and integrating them into evidence-based modern treatments, improving millions of lives.
THE KINDNESS PROJECT
The Kindness Project is a simple idea. Let’s start here, in our own neighborhoods, at our schools in Marin County and ask children and teenagers to capture small acts of kindness on an iPhone video. Knowing they are contributing to a bigger effort to highlight kindness in Marin County, they will seek out situations to be kind.
Impact
At the Follow Your Dream Foundation, we believe in the power of storytelling to shift perspectives, foster connection, and ignite change. Our work extends beyond filmmaking; it is about creating a lasting impact on individuals, communities, and the way people engage with the world around them.
With PASANG: In the Shadow of Everest, we honored an unsung hero and ensured that her legacy would continue inspiring generations. But that was just the beginning. Our foundation is committed to producing films that elevate untold stories, amplify voices of resilience, and spark meaningful conversations.
Our upcoming film, 1 in 3, delves into integrative oncology and the hopeful side of a cancer diagnosis—shifting the focus from fear to empowerment. By bridging science with human experience, we aim to change the way people approach cancer care, equipping patients, families, and medical professionals with knowledge and hope.
Through The Kindness Project, we are capturing the extraordinary ways in which everyday people foster unity in an increasingly divided world. By spotlighting these acts of kindness, we are not just documenting positive stories—we are creating a ripple effect, inspiring more people to act with compassion and generosity in their own lives.
Each film we produce is more than just a story; it is a movement. Whether through screenings, community discussions, or digital engagement, we ensure that our films do more than inform—they transform. The Follow Your Dream Foundation is dedicated to creating cinematic works that leave a tangible impact, pushing forward conversations that matter, fostering social change, and helping people see new possibilities in their own lives.
By expanding our reach, securing partnerships, and investing in impactful storytelling, we will continue to bring vital narratives to light—ensuring that every story we tell has the power to change minds, shift systems, and leave a lasting legacy.