FindingLife Films is Elia Saikaly’s expedition production company, delivering authentic high altitude storytelling where most crews cannot operate. From the historic winter season on K2 to multiple deadly years on Everest, Elia stepped onto the mountain first, assumed the risks others avoided, and brought back the images no one else could capture, including footage that helped shape Netflix’s Aftershock.
Some of the stories we have brought to life over the years, narratives rooted in resilience, purpose, and the extraordinary human experiences.
Get in touch and tell me about your project. I’m here to help.
The camera has been a part of me for as long as I can remember. My father, one of the few in the ’80s to carry a bulky 2CCD camera on his back, unknowingly sparked something in me. I grew up in front of the lens before I ever held one, and when I finally did, I never let go.
I started shooting at 15, and over the past 30 years, my journey has taken me across an extraordinary spectrum of storytelling. At 19, I was chasing fires, accidents and filming drug busts for the news. I became an entertainment correspondent for MuchMusic, transitioned into music videos and short films, and worked alongside renowned clinical psychologists to create educational content. From there, I moved into live events—filming over 1,000 events—before stumbling into adventure filmmaking. I’ve summited Everest five times, survived avalanches, stood atop K2 while filming a complex search operation, and documented some of the most extreme environments on Earth—not just to capture the landscapes, but to tell the stories of the people within them.
My work has also extended into the world of sports broadcasting, where I’ve shot over 50 sports features with Rogers Sportsnet, working with some of the biggest names in athletics. I’ve collaborated with NBA champion Serge Ibaka in the Congo, MLB stars Vladimir Guerrero and Edwin Encarnación in the Dominican Republic, including a Gemini-winning documentary on MLB pitcher Aaron Sanchez. Yet, I’ve rarely been drawn to their accomplishments—what has always interested me is their humanity, the raw moments behind the public persona, which is a reflection of the work I do.
Technically, I work fast and light, with an instinct for capturing the raw, unfiltered truth. I’m a skilled drone pilot, proficient with gimbals, and equally comfortable shooting on mirrorless cameras or Reds. I shoot in 8K for giant-screen projects, understand IMAX standards for cinematic storytelling, and adapt seamlessly to the evolving digital landscape, from feature docs to 9×16 online formats. But beyond the tools, my greatest strength is understanding people—building trust, navigating cultural nuance, knowing when to put the camera down to truly listen, and being equally gifted in rolling when no one else wants to. The world will soon see this firsthand as my work from the last five years on K2 and Everest comes to light.
At my core, I care deeply about people and the planet. Every project I take on is a reflection of my values—stories that deserve to be told, voices that need to be heard. I’ve shot in South Sudan, Lebanon, Jordan, Uganda, Tanzania, Senegal, Niger, Kenya, Peru, Argentina, Tibet and beyond. If you’re looking for a filmmaker who can get to the heart of a story, execute with a small, agile team, and bring an unwavering commitment to the well-being of the subjects and their mission, then I’m your guy.
I’m always open to meaningful collaborations—projects that challenge, inspire, and leave the world a little better than we found it.
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