For much of her life, the public knew Malia Obama as the eldest daughter of former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama. These days, she is building a career that has little to do with politics and everything to do with storytelling.
Rather than stepping into the spotlight as a celebrity, Malia has spent the past several years working behind the camera, writing scripts, directing projects, and learning the film industry from the ground up. Here’s a look at where she is now and how her filmmaking career has taken shape.
She Started Learning The Industry Years Ago
Long before she was directing films, Malia was gaining experience behind the scenes. During her teenage years, she worked on film and television sets, including time spent on the CBS series Extant and HBO’s Girls. These early opportunities gave her a firsthand look at how productions come together.
Film had reportedly been an interest of hers for years, and those early experiences helped lay the groundwork for what would come next.
She Graduated From Harvard In 2021
Malia attended Harvard University and graduated in 2021. After college, she began pursuing film and television work more seriously, focusing on writing and development rather than seeking attention as a public figure.
Her academic background and industry experience positioned her well for a creative career in Hollywood.
She Joined Donald Glover’s Writers’ Room
One of Malia’s biggest career breaks came when she joined the writing staff for the Prime Video series Swarm, created by Donald Glover and Janine Nabers. Glover publicly praised her writing abilities, and reports from the production described her as a valued member of the creative team.
Working in a professional writers’ room allowed her to develop her skills while collaborating with experienced television creators.
She Began Using The Name Malia Ann Professionally
As her career developed, Malia started using the name “Malia Ann” in film credits. Ann is her middle name.
The move attracted attention because it signaled her desire to establish her own identity as a filmmaker. While her family name is widely recognized around the world, she appears interested in having her work evaluated on its own merits.
She Made Her Directorial Debut At Sundance
In 2024, Malia reached a major milestone when her short film The Heart premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
The film was written and directed by Malia Ann and follows a grieving man dealing with the loss of his mother. The project marked her first major directing credit and introduced her to audiences as a filmmaker rather than a former First Daughter.
The Sundance selection placed her work alongside projects from other emerging filmmakers and gave industry observers a chance to see her creative voice.
She Has Earned Recognition On The Festival Circuit
Following The Heart, Malia’s work continued to receive attention within film circles. She was honored with a Young Spirit Award at the 2024 Deauville American Film Festival, adding another achievement to her growing résumé.
While she remains early in her career, these appearances suggest that she is steadily building credibility within the industry.
She Recently Directed Commercial Work Too
Malia’s directing work has expanded beyond short films. Reports indicate that she directed a Nike commercial featuring WNBA star A’ja Wilson, showing that her experience now includes both narrative and commercial projects.
Many filmmakers move between different formats early in their careers, and commercial work often provides additional opportunities to refine directing skills.
She Continues To Keep A Low Public Profile
Despite growing interest in her career, Malia remains relatively private. She rarely gives interviews and makes only occasional public appearances.
That approach has allowed much of the conversation around her to focus on her creative projects rather than her personal life. Even as public curiosity remains high, she appears focused on the work happening behind the camera.
She Seems Focused On A Long-Term Filmmaking Career
Today, Malia Obama is steadily building a career in Hollywood as a writer and director. From working in television writers’ rooms to premiering a short film at Sundance, her path suggests a commitment to storytelling and filmmaking.
Whether her next step is another short film, a feature project, or additional television work, she appears to be taking a deliberate approach to establishing herself in the entertainment industry. For someone who grew up in the public eye, her career so far has largely been shaped behind the scenes.
Featured Image: Wikimedia Commons
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