Malia Obama recently made a notable return to the red carpet at the 2024 Deauville American Film Festival in Deauville, France. This appearance marked her second major public outing, following her debut at the Sundance Film Festival earlier in the year.
On September 6, she attended the festival’s opening ceremony and participated in a screening of her directorial debut short film, The Heart. Her film earned her the Young Spirit Award, underscoring her growing prominence in film.
For the event, Malia, who is professionally known as Malia Ann, chose an eye-catching outfit. She wore a plaid off-the-shoulder corset top and an asymmetrical skirt, both from the late designer Vivienne Westwood’s fall 2024 collection.
Malia completed her ensemble with black knee-high boots, reflecting a stylish yet distinctive look. During a rare interview on the red carpet with Paris Match, she expressed her admiration for Westwood’s designs, despite her limited knowledge of fashion.
Malia’s first red carpet appearance of the year was at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, where she premiered The Heart. This short film, which she directed, explores themes of loneliness, loss, and forgiveness.
It follows a grieving man dealing with a peculiar request left in his mother’s will. The film features performances by Tunde Adebimpe, LaTonya Borsay, and John Weigand, and was produced by Donald Glover’s company, Gilga.
In an interview about the film, Malia described The Heart as a narrative about “lost objects and lonely people” and emphasized its exploration of tenderness and connection amidst feelings of regret. She hoped that the film would provide viewers with a sense of solace and a reminder of the importance of remembering those who are important to them.
Malia Obama graduated from Harvard University in 2021 with a degree in Visual and Environmental Studies, and her foray into filmmaking with The Heart reflects her commitment to storytelling. Despite not appearing in the film herself, her work is making an impact in cinema, signaling a promising future for her in the industry.