Cookie Queens: The Film Premieres to Standing Ovation at Sundance Film Festival 2026 with Executive Producers Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Attending
- Taylor Lynn
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Alysa Nahmias’ Inspiring Documentary on Sisterhood and the Billion-Dollar Girl Scout Cookie World Praised by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The 2026 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, lit up on January 25th, 2026 as the world premiere of Cookie Queens captivated audiences at the Eccles Theatre. The screening received a prolonged standing ovation, marking one of the festival’s most heartwarming and talked-about moments.
Directed by filmmaker Alysa Nahmias, Cookie Queens follows four tenacious young women as they compete to become top-selling “Cookie Queens” in the $800 million business of Girl Scout cookies. The documentary offers an intimate look at modern girlhood, blending themes of ambition, resilience, friendship, and the pressures and pride that come with high-performing youth leadership.
The premiere was a high-profile affair, with executive producers Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in attendance alongside Nahmias and the film’s young protagonists. Meghan Markle, who serves as an executive producer on Cookie Queens, has spoken about her personal connection to the project as a former Girl Scout and the daughter of a troop leader, noting how the film reflects the power of mentorship and community. In a statement about the documentary, she said, “As a former Girl Scout myself, with my mom as my troop leader, I have a personal affinity for this film. I’m proud that all our conversations and collaboration have led to partnering with this incredible team to bring such a heartfelt, inspiring story to the world.”
Critics at Sundance have described Cookie Queens as charming, eye-opening, and a meaningful depiction of modern girlhood and ambition, praising its balance of warmth and clear-eyed social insight. Early reactions highlight the film’s ability to celebrate the joy of selling cookies while also raising thoughtful questions about competition, consumer culture, and what it means for girls to chase big goals in a world that is closely watching.
With its exuberant premiere, marquee backers, and emotional audience response, Cookie Queens is already emerging as one of the standout documentaries of the 2026 festival. Following Sundance, the film is expected to travel the festival circuit, with distribution and streaming plans anticipated later this year.
About the Sundance Film Festival 2026
The Sundance Film Festival is the premier showcase for independent film, bringing together visionary storytellers and audiences each year in Park City, Utah. Produced by the nonprofit Sundance Institute, the festival champions independent voices in film and episodic storytelling, providing a global platform for new work and fostering a community committed to creativity, discovery, and artistic risk-taking.
The 2026 edition of the festival continues this legacy with a lineup that spotlights bold new voices, boundary-pushing documentaries, and formally inventive narrative features. This year’s program is expected to generate significant attention around timely nonfiction work, innovative storytelling in the U.S. Dramatic and World Cinema competitions, and buzzy premieres poised to shape the awards conversation and redefine what independent cinema can be.