Samarria Brevard: No Handouts

When director Dan Buyanovsky was introduced to Samarria, he saw an incredible subject — charming, humble and fearless. As a kid who grew up skating and watching skate videos, Dan always wanted to make one. He gathered a small team and headed to Samarria’s home in Riverside, California.

Samarria has released a handful of signature boards with Enjoi and was recently the first black woman to medal at the X Games — all very impressive things — but meeting Samarria in person, Dan realized that she’s still as earnest as she is great. Surrounded by her longterm boyfriend and loving family members, she continues to do the work to make herself a better skater, athlete, sister, daughter and human.

“I hope she finds her way into the 2020 Olympics, and when she does, I hope this film shows that even when her future was uncertain, she remained focused on being the best version of herself,” said Dan.

Samarria’s agent, Yulin Olliver, commented on the film, saying, “often the gritty life of a self-made skateboarder is anything but graceful or easy but Dan does a masterful job at transforming that rawness into the poetic, rich and heart-warming, love-filled life that’s truly there if you open your eyes and listen with curiosity.”

Director: Dan Buyanovsky
DP: Mikul Eriksson
First AC: Celeste Barbosa
Editor: Andrew Moorehead
Production: lowkey media