User Zero

Directed by Ria Tobaccowala

Type of Project: Drama
Length: 16:00
Producer: Ria Tobaccowala
Editor: Erica Freed Marker
Cinematographer: Alejandro Miyashiro
Sound Designer: Gisela Fulla-Silvestre

When Neuroscientist Dr. Naomi James prepares for the launch of her groundbreaking treatment for bipolar disorder, she discovers that one of her clinical trial participants violently attacked someone. She must decide whether to move forward with the launch to more patients or stop immediately as she secretly struggles with her own mental health.

Graduate
ria.tobaccowala@gmail.com

Ria Tobaccowala is an award-winning filmmaker from Chicago. Her latest short film, SHADOWS, will premiere at the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival. Her first short film, LIFE AFTER, was selected for several prestigious film festivals around the world. The film also won best short fiction film at the Chicago South Asian Film Festival. She is developing an original TV show called USER ZERO about technology and mental health, which is supported by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Before her career in film, Ria worked at Google. With a passion for storytelling and technology, she led the development of social web experiences and innovations using Google products with content partners, such as The New York Times, ESPN, Fox, NBC, The Food Network and Sony. Ria produced the 2015 YouTube interview with President Obama. She received her MFA in filmmaking from Tisch School of the Arts, MBA from NYU Stern School of Business and BA in Economics from Harvard University.