An Emerging Quiet Force in Hollywood: Celebrating Malia Ann (Obama) on Her 27th Birthday

Born on July 4, 1998, Malia Ann Obama—formerly known publicly by her full name, Malia Obama—has gracefully stepped out of the spotlight of presidential legacy and into the heart of Hollywood’s writers’ rooms. Now simply known as Malia Ann, the Harvard graduate is forging her own creative path—and we’re here for it.

In a world where fame often precedes the work, Malia has taken the quieter, intentional route. After interning with the Weinstein Company and HBO’s Girls, she honed her skills behind the scenes before joining the writing team of Swarm—the buzzy, genre-bending Prime Video series created by Donald Glover and Janine Nabers. The show stars Dominique Fishback as an obsessive fan, with Malia co-writing the show’s chilling fifth episode, “Girl, Bye” (aired March 17th, 2023)

‘Swarm’ on Prime | Episode 5 co-written by Malia Ann. In picture, Dominique Fishback in 'Swarm'.Quantrell D. Colbert/Prime Video

Showrunner Janine Nabers called Malia’s pitches “wild as hell,” praising her raw storytelling instincts and bold ideas. It’s no surprise that she’s turning heads—not just because of where she comes from, but because of where she’s going.

In 2023, Malia Ann made her directorial debut with The Heart, a surreal short film that explores themes of grief, identity, and emotional inheritance. The project premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and marked a significant milestone in her evolution from staff writer to filmmaker. Described as abstract and tender, The Heart tells the story of a grieving son who must honor his late mother’s final wish—one that involves an unusual, metaphorical journey. The film was met with curiosity and praise, not just because of her famous last name, but because of its bold vision and emotional clarity.

Malia Ann (Obama) short film.

Beyond Swarm and The Heart, Malia Ann has also been attached to other developing projects, including Jupiter Julia, and continues to carve out her space in Hollywood through deliberate, meaningful storytelling. Though the world first met her as the eldest daughter of former U.S. President Barack Obama, Malia’s creative path is uniquely her own. 

Fun fact: her Secret Service nickname during her time at the White House was “Radiance”—a fitting name for a young woman quietly illuminating new corners of the industry with authenticity and grace.

This week, as she turns 27, we raise our pens and clapboards to a woman crafting her own narrative. Whether in the writers’ room or directing short films like The Heart (2023), Malia Ann continues to show us what it means to write your own legacy.

Happy Birthday, Malia Ann. We’ll be streaming Swarm this weekend and cheering you on—quietly, but proudly.

Congratulations — from all of us at Black Film Wire. 🖤