LAYA HARTMAN
Unanimous Media (Stephen Curry’s Production Co) funded this 22-Minute Documentary Showcases the Female Skateboarding Community in Detroit
Boneless 180 is a coming-of-age short documentary that centers on Dayna Doles, one of the few Black girls in a wealthy Detroit suburb. Feeling ostracized by her classmates, Dayna turns to skateboarding and meets pro-skater Christiana Smith, who helps her unlock her true potential. The narrative delves into their aspirations, triumphs, and the transformative power of landing—not just physically on the board, but metaphorically, as they overcome obstacles with newfound confidence. By capturing their perseverance and growth, I present an authentic and inspiring portrayal of the ways in which sport, community, and personal determination intersect.
BIO
Laya Hartman is an American journalist, documentary filmmaker, and professional basketball player. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from Northwestern University and a master’s degree in Journalism and Documentary from New York University, where she developed her focus on character-driven storytelling and socially conscious reporting.
Her second documentary short, Boneless 180, follows two female skateboarders and was funded by Stephen Curry’s Unanimous Media through its Pathways program. The film has screened at festivals internationally and received multiple awards. Her journalism and documentary work explores culture, sports, and social issues through reported stories and visual storytelling.
Alongside her creative work, Laya recently played professional basketball in Sydney, Australia and is currently interning at Happy Magazine, a news and entertainment publication, where she writes about arts, culture, and entertainment.
She is interested in opportunities in journalism, documentary filmmaking, and film, particularly projects that combine original reporting with compelling visual storytelling.
