Malia Obama Did Her First Red Carpet to Promote Her Directorial Debut at the Sundance Film Festival

Malia Obama, the oldest daughter of former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, made her first-ever red carpet appearance on Thursday, January 18 at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.

Obama wore a V-neck button-down shirt and black pants underneath a gray trench coat. She added glossy brown boots and a long, skinny gray knit scarf wrapped around her neck.

Obama, now 25, was at the festival for the premiere of her new short film, The Heart. The project marks her directorial debut. She is credited as Malia Ann in the production notes.

While speaking in a promotional video for Sundance, Obama discussed the meaning of The Heart.

“This is an odd little story, somewhat of a fable, about a man grieving the death of his mother after she leaves him an unusual request in her will,” she explained. “The film is about lost objects, and lonely people, and forgiveness, and regret, but I also think it works hard to uncover where tenderness and closeness can exist in these things.”

She expressed her gratitude for the team behind it, saying, “The folks who came together to make this film have my heart, pun intended. And I’m incredibly grateful to them for giving this story life. And we are grateful to Sundance for giving us the opportunity to share it with you all. We hope you enjoy the film and it makes you feel a bit less lonely, or at least reminds you not to forget about the people who are.”

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