About
Zaid Sater is an award-winning filmmaker based in Dubai, LA, and the East Coast. With a distinct flair for stories steeped in culture and a passion for bridging cultural divides. His work is recognized for its depth, creativity, and emotional resonance.
Professional Background
Zaid is the Co-Founder of Obscura Films, a production company and funding arm dedicated to supporting diasporic filmmakers and bridging Middle Eastern and Western audiences through cinema. Through Obscura Films, he served as the producer for the short film "Lost Sole" (currently being submitted into the festival circuit) and as an executive producer on "Dearborn," a TV pilot produced by NYU TISCH and supported by The Arab Film and Media Institute (AFMI).
Leadership and Contributions
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Past Experience
Plimsoll Productions (UK): Zaid's role as a production intern involved ideation, proposal drafting, archival work, and fostering relationships with clients like Netflix, Disney, and Amazon. This experience provided him with invaluable organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills.
Enspire Media Group (Hollywood): As a script coverage provider, Zaid critically evaluated plot development, character arcs, and narrative coherence under the guidance of industry expert Frank Antonelli. This role was pivotal in refining his skills in script selection and project refinement.
Notable Courses Taken
UCLA Anderson School of Management
Accepted to IMPACT Learning Institute’s professional development program hosted by UCLA Anderson which seeks to mentor and guide individuals into breaking into the sports and entertainment industry.
Drafted and presented Documentary proposals to Showtime Basketball executive producer Eric Newman.
Connected with industry leaders across the industries of Film, Sports and Entertainment
“Writing the feature film” - Emerson College
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Examines the fundamentals of writing for narrative feature-length films. Investigates structure, character, conflict, scene writing, and dialogue, taking students from ideation through to the development of a detailed outline.
Taught by Veteran Screenwriter Marc Weinberg, who spent 20 years working in Development for 20th Century Fox and Metro Goldyn Mayer.
“Introduction to Narrative Drama” - Emerson College
Introduces students to the personnel and techniques involved in the broad category of narrative fiction production. Emphasis is placed on organization and the translation of the script into a visual narrative. Students have the opportunity to hone their production skills on a variety of creative projects.
Taught by filmmaker Gautam Chopra
Gautam's work as a director includes Cauliflower & Potatoes, a finalist for the AbelCine Documentary Award; and Alumni, which premiered at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Licorice, his most recent film, is currently on the US festival circuit.
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Gautam has also edited several films including the documentary A Matter of Conscience: Confronting Clergy Abuse; and the narrative film Lambing Season, selected by IndieWire as one of the 10 Best Films of 2014.
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He has sold sold scripts and story ideas to studios and production companies including Paramount Pictures, Citadel Entertainment, and Dick Clark Productions.