Roadside Attractions Acquires Meghan Markle and Prince Harry-Backed Documentary 'Cookie Queens'
"Cookie Queens," a documentary film executive produced by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, has secured a distribution deal with Roadside Attractions for U.S. rights. This acquisition follows its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival and precedes its appearance at SXSW, with a theatrical release planned for the summer. The film, directed by Alysa Nahmias, explores the beloved American tradition of the Girl Scout Cookie season, offering an intimate perspective on the experiences of young Girl Scouts.
Roadside Attractions to Release "Cookie Queens" Documentry This Summer
On March 12, 2026, it was announced that Roadside Attractions has acquired the United States distribution rights for the documentary "Cookie Queens." This film, which already made its debut at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival, is also slated for a presentation at SXSW before its exclusive theatrical release later this summer. Directed by Alysa Nahmias, the documentary is characterized as a coming-of-age narrative that intricately weaves together the delights, challenges, and underlying tensions of the cherished American ritual known as the Girl Scout Cookie season. The film meticulously chronicles the intense six-week period during which Girl Scouts enthusiastically engage in selling their iconic treats, including Thin Mints, Samoas, and Tagalongs. Meghan Markle, a former Girl Scout herself, with her mother serving as troop leader, expressed her personal connection to the film, praising Nahmias's insightful creative vision and the documentary's compelling portrayal of both the nostalgic and contemporary aspects of this tradition. Roadside Attractions, known for its diverse documentary releases such as "Super Size Me" and "The September Issue," plans to leverage its expertise to bring "Cookie Queens" to a broad audience. Roadside co-presidents Eric d'Arbeloff and Howard Cohen commended Nahmias's humorous and profoundly moving depiction of the girls and their families, noting the strong positive reception at Sundance. The documentary is a collaborative effort, with Michael Dweck and Gregory Kershaw of Beautiful Stories, Alysa Nahmias for AJNA Films, and Jennifer Sims serving as producers, alongside the executive production of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. Director Nahmias emphasized that the film uses the annual cookie sale, an $800 million enterprise, as a unique lens to delve into girlhood, showcasing the ambition, resilience, humor, and vulnerability that surface as these young girls navigate a world influenced by the interplay of community and capitalism.
This documentary offers a compelling reflection on the blend of tradition and modern enterprise, reminding us how seemingly simple activities can reveal profound insights into human development and societal structures. The involvement of public figures like Meghan Markle and Prince Harry not only amplifies the film's reach but also underscores the enduring cultural significance of the Girl Scout movement. It highlights the often-overlooked lessons in entrepreneurship, teamwork, and resilience that young girls gain through this iconic annual event, demonstrating that even a cookie sale can be a powerful arena for growth and self-discovery in a capitalist society.
