She Knows She Can is an approximately 10-minute US documentary directed and produced by Elysia M Hernandez as a student project at New York University.
The film explores women’s experience in sport, giving voice to women and girls who practise different disciplines such as gymnastics, karate, taekwondo, ballet and football. Interviews and direct testimony reveal what motivates these athletes to pursue their goals, as well as the difficulties they meet along the way.
The protagonists – including Ally Ng, Samantha Guiracocha, Carmen Cincerini, Sabrina Kaminer and Lily Schubert – recount their sporting experiences in the first person, addressing gender inequality, body perception and social expectations. The story develops through training, dreams and everyday challenges, showing how young and adult women athletes resiliently face pressure arising from sporting and cultural contexts.
The documentary’s central message is one ofwomen’s empowerment: despite differences between disciplines and specific obstacles, the protagonists are united by the same determination to pursue excellence. The film aims to inspire new generations and promote a more inclusive, supportive sporting culture for women.
From a production perspective, it is an independent, low-budget project completed on 20 February 2025 in the United States.
Film Information
Title: She Knows She Can
Original title: She Knows She Can
Director: Elysia M Hernandez
Production: Elysia M Hernandez
Country: United States
Language: English
Running time: 10 minutes
Genre: Documentary
Sport featured: Gymnastics, karate, taekwondo, ballet, football
Protagonists: Ally Ng, Samantha Guiracocha, Carmen Cincerini, Sabrina Kaminer, Lily Schubert
Completion date: 20 February 2025
Premiere: [Not specified]
Distributor: [Not available]
Shooting format: Digital, 1920×1080, colour
Director’s first film: No
Student project: Yes – New York University