Former First Daughter Malia Obama Makes Directorial Debut at Sundance Film Festival

Malia Obama, the eldest daughter of former US president Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, recently made her directorial debut at the renowned Sundance Film Festival. In her short film titled The Heart, the 25-year-old showcased her talent as both a writer and director, choosing to be recognised on her own merits by working under the name Malia Ann. Since her family’s departure from the White House, Malia and her sister Sasha have steered clear of politics and the media, with Malia preferring to work behind the scenes.

Before her directorial debut, Malia Obama demonstrated her writing skills as a staff writer for the Amazon Prime TV series Swarm. She collaborated with the acclaimed Donald Glover, also known as Childish Gambino, who praised her talents in an interview with Vanity Fair. At Harvard, Malia pursued a degree in visual and environmental studies, which likely fueled her interest in filmmaking.

The Heart, as described on IMDB, delves into the intricate relationship between a mother and her son, exploring themes of loss, forgiveness, and regret. In a video for Sundance, Malia further explained that the film also aims to uncover moments of tenderness and closeness amidst loneliness. Her filmmaking team expressed the hope that the audience would find solace and connection through the film.

Malia Obama’s interest in the entertainment industry was evident from a young age. At just 15, she worked as a production assistant on Halle Berry‘s CBS series Extant. She later interned for HBO‘s Girls, following her 17th birthday. In 2017, at the age of 19, Obama secured an internship at the Weinstein Company, which has since undergone significant controversy.

Interestingly, Malia is not the only member of her family drawn to the film industry. Barack and Michelle Obama founded Higher Ground Productions in 2018, focusing on creating films, TV shows, and podcasts. Their projects include notable works like Netflix‘s Leave the World Behind, featuring Julia Roberts, and American Symphony.

While the Obama family’s lineage has been well-documented, one surprising revelation came from the New England Historic Genealogical Society. They discovered that the Obamas are distant relatives of six US presidents, including George W. Bush, Gerald Ford, Lyndon B. Johnson, Harry Truman, James Madison, and even Winston Churchill. However, experts highlight that these connections have negligible genetic significance due to the vast generational gaps between these figures.