Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Documentary ‘Cookie Queens’ Receives Heartfelt Standing Ovation at Sundance
At the Sundance Film Festival, a documentary produced by Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, titled Cookie Queens, received one of the longest standing ovations ever witnessed at the event, lasting over two minutes. This response is particularly noteworthy given that audiences at the festival usually offer brief applause, in stark contrast to the extended ovations seen at prestigious festivals like Venice and Cannes.
Directed by Alysa Nahmias, the film captivated viewers with its portrayal of four young Girl Scouts as they navigate the challenges of pre-adolescence while striving to exceed their cookie sales targets. The girls confront various life experiences, from social dances to dreams of travel abroad.
Though the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were not present to address the audience after the screening, Nahmias took the microphone alongside the film’s inspiring main subjects: Shannon Elizabeth, Olive, Nikki, Ara, and their parents.
Watch on Deadline
During her speech, Olive, who sells an impressive 12,000 boxes of cookies, emphasized the need for change within the Girl Scouts organization. “Every person has the room for change in an organization,” she stated.
Olive urged the audience at the Eccles Theatre to reconsider the existing guidelines surrounding community project hours. She pointed out that many girls encounter difficulties gaining approval for their projects since the approval timeline often exceeds the limited week provided for project submissions. “It discourages earning goal awards…but it also hurts the community that they are going to serve if they don’t get help,” she explained. These community projects are vital for enhancing a member’s resume and improving future employment and educational opportunities.
The documentary Cookie Queens is being sold by WME Independent and Submarine.
