Daniel Elias

Daniel Elias is the Co-founder, President, and Executive Producer of Hybrid Films, Inc., a company he established in 1995 alongside David Houts. Based in New York City, Hybrid Films has produced over 500 episodes of various television series, including notable works like Dog the Bounty Hunter, Family Plots, and Parking Wars. The company is recognized for pioneering character-driven docusoap formats with series such as Brooklyn North Homicide and has also created feature-length documentaries focusing on topics like NYPD hostage negotiators and U.S. Marine Corps recruiters.13

Background and Education

Daniel Elias grew up in England and initially studied law at Cambridge University before shifting his focus to film. He graduated from New York University's film and television program. Prior to founding Hybrid Films, he worked as an independent producer for PBS’s MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour, where he earned a Peabody nomination for his work. Throughout his career, Elias has produced and directed award-winning documentaries addressing issues such as the arms industry, environmental concerns, and human rights abuses.12

Notable Contributions

Under Elias's leadership, Hybrid Films has been influential in the reality television genre, producing content that blends humor with real-life drama. His work has garnered recognition in the industry, contributing to the evolution of storytelling formats on television.13