Malia Obama’s short film “Heart” premieres at Sundance – The Hollywood Reporter

Malia Obama

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Malia Obama prepares her short film the heart To Sundance. The project is being screened as part of the American Short Film Festival in Park City, Utah.

Obama, known as Malia Ann, wrote and directed the project, which revolves around a grieving son whose mother left him an unusual request in her will. It premiered on Wednesday and will air throughout the week.

“The film is about lost things and lonely people and forgiveness and regret, but I also think it works hard to reveal where tenderness and closeness can be found in those things,” Obama said in a video. “We hope you enjoy the film and that it makes you feel less alone, or at least reminds you not to forget the people out there.”

the heart It previously screened in Telluride, as well as at the Chicago International Film Festival, where it was honored in the Best Live Action Short Film category. Obama previously served as a writer on the limited series produced by Donald Glover The swarm.

The daughter of former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama was a topic of conversation earlier in the day at Sundance, when Blumhouse’s Jason Blum recalled his own festival highlights, from the show injury To premiere the Oscar-winning film Get out.

“And the first screening ever with a general audience was here in the library,” Bloom said at the annual Sundance Scoop press conference. “And people went crazy and (Barack Obama’s) daughter was in the audience — it was amazing. That’s what started it all.”