In 2002 he took on the role of Senior Producer and Artistic Consultant for Nile Productions, moving across to Hot Spot in Dubai in 2003.
Shot in Cairo, Baghdad, Beirut and Berlin, the film is on the lives of a group of friends from Egypt, Iraq and Lebanon have been shaped by their cities of birth and the instability of their region.
Zero Production supports independent filmmakers in Cairo and the region whether directly producing, lending equipment or offering work space.
[6] El Said co-founded Cimatheque, a multipurpose space dedicated to celebrating film and supporting the needs of independent filmmakers in Egypt.
Built in the context of Egypt's emergent alternative cinema scene and a country in transition, it is conceived as a dynamic work space for independent filmmakers to collaborate, research and network, while addressing essential needs: education, screening and resources.
Alongside this, Cimatheque provides a year-round educational programme of workshops and courses focusing on key issues like producing, screen-writing, editing and camera work, bringing together local and international filmmakers and industry professionals to exchange skills and experiences.