Malia, the former first daughter, unveiled her short film "The Heart" at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. She took to the festival's red carpet to introduce her directorial debut. A "meet the artist" clip from the Sundance Institute on YouTube features Obama—whose last name is omitted on the video page—providing insights into the film, which she both wrote and directed. Describing it as an "odd little story, somewhat of a fable," the narrative centers around a man coping with the loss of his mother and an unconventional request in her will.

In a voiceover from the clip, Obama shares that "The Heart" explores themes of lost objects, loneliness, forgiveness, and regret, aiming to reveal moments of tenderness and closeness within these experiences. She expresses her hope that the audience not only enjoys the film but also finds solace in it, serving as a poignant reminder not to overlook the importance of those who matter.
Adding to Malia's cinematic endeavors, her recent credit includes contributing to the writers' room for Donald Glover's Prime Video series, Swarm. Notably, "The Heart" marks one of the initial projects under Glover's newly launched production company, Gilga.

The Obama family's connection to filmmaking extends beyond Malia's projects. A 2018 development deal between her parents and Netflix, facilitated through their company, Higher Ground Productions, has resulted in various successful projects, including the recent thriller "Leave the World Behind" and the documentary "Working: What We Do All Day." Barack Obama's contribution to the latter earned him his second Creative Arts Emmy for best narrator earlier this month.

As per Sundance, "The Heart" is featured in the Short Film Program 1 at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.