Sundance Ovation for Meghan Markle & Prince Harry’s ‘Cookie Queens’ Documentary

At the Sundance Film Festival, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s documentary, *Cookie Queens*, received an enthusiastic standing ovation lasting over two minutes. This event took place at the Eccles Theatre in Park City, Utah, which typically sees shorter applause. The audience’s response was striking, especially compared to the longer ovations often witnessed at festivals like Venice and Cannes.

About the Documentary

*Cookie Queens*, directed by Alysa Nahmias, tells the inspiring story of four young Girl Scouts as they navigate challenges while striving to achieve their cookie sales goals. The film highlights their personal growth, touching upon themes from social interactions to aspirations for travel in Europe.

Key Highlights from the Premiere

• The documentary focuses on Shannon Elizabeth, Olive, Nikki, and Ara, along with their supportive parents.
• Olive, one of the participants, notably sold 12,000 boxes of cookies during the project.
• After the screening, Nahmias addressed the audience alongside the young participants, emphasizing their achievements.

During her speech, Olive expressed her concerns regarding the Girl Scouts organization. She argued for necessary reforms in the project approval process for community initiatives. “Every person has the room for change in an organization,” she stated passionately. Her main issue involved the tight time frame for project proposals, which she believed hindered potential opportunities for young scouts.

Impact on Young Scouts

Olive’s call for improvement highlighted how the organization’s structure could discourage members. The existing requirement permits only a week’s time for members to submit project ideas, while the review process can prolong for two to three weeks. This delay, according to Olive, not only affects the scouts’ ability to earn goal-oriented awards but also limits the community projects that benefit the local area.

The film, *Cookie Queens*, is currently being marketed by WME Independent and Submarine. It stands out not only for its engaging narrative but also for the potent messages conveyed by its young protagonists at Sundance.