Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, says Cookie Queens is “more than just a cookie movie.”
At an advanced Los Angeles screening of the documentary, Meghan Markle joined director Alysa Nahmias to discuss the heart behind the film, which follows four young Girl Scouts as they navigate the highs and lows of cookie-selling season.
The project originally premiered at Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, earning an Audience Award and putting itself on the map. Markle and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, jumped on as executive producers under their Archewell Productions banner.
The screening took place at AMC The Grove on Tuesday, with an audience packed with Girl Scouts dressed in their green vests ready to follow the story of Olive, Shannon, Ara and Nikki. Once the film concluded, Nahmias and Markle joined moderator Jessica Radloff to speak about the ins and outs of the film, and what Cookie Queens means.
“We have an amazing team at Archewell Productions, and a lot of things come across the desk, but the team has such a good eye,” Markle said of signing onto the doc. “We saw a very small teaser, but there was a clear inkling that this was going to be different — cinematic but also real and vulnerable. When we first met, I baked some cookies and brought them to the team, and we were all so enthusiastic. We were happy to join forces and support this project.”
For Nahmias, the project started from a challenge from her children: “My kids dared me to make a film that was for all ages,” she said. “I remember someone told me a story about a Girl Scout they met who was the best salesperson. He had all these cookies and his wallet was empty! I was so interested in thinking about how girls learn about the economy and our values. That was the impetus: girlhood, capitalism, the good, the bad, the ugly — and the delicious.”
While Cookie Queens may focus on the beloved Girl Scout cookie season, Nahmias said she always envisioned it as a coming-of-age story.
“It’s such a brilliant portrayal of Americana and the global tradition of the Girl Scouts,” Markle added. “When I describe it to people, I say, ‘I know you think it’s just going to be a cute film about cookies,’ and yes, it’s very cute — but every time we’ve seen it, there’s not a dry eye in the house. There are so many meaningful, grounding moments that make it much more resonant, and that’s a testament to Alysa, the crew and how hard they’ve worked on the film.”
To capture that story, Nahmias said she interviewed dozens of Girl Scouts before choosing four families whose stories extended far beyond selling cookies. “What I was looking for were families for whom it wasn’t really going to be about just the cookies. Instead, there would be an inner journey,” she continued. “I knew I wanted an ensemble where the girls were different ages, backgrounds and socioeconomic situations to create a true cross-section.”
For both Nahmias and Markle, one of the documentary’s most meaningful themes became the parents’ unwavering commitment to their children.
“People say when you become a parent, you just don’t understand a love like that, and it’s so true,” Markle said. “I see myself in all these different parents in the film, doing anything for their child, and it’s really beautiful storytelling.”
Markle also said she was struck by how naturally the girls approached entrepreneurship, using social media and other tools to maximize their cookie sales. “I was really impressed with how these girls understand microfinance at such a young age,” she said. “They really understand sales targets and goals. That is so inspiring when you think about this next generation of women who can really help shape our country because they are owning their knowledge, autonomy and financial independence.”
As the conversation came to a close, Radloff asked Nahmias and Markle what keeps them motivated through setbacks, as Nahmias reflected on making her first feature, a process that took more than a decade.
“Staying true to my North Star and bringing yourself back to that is what keeps me going,” she said. “Even if it fails, you’ve still done something important, and you can’t take that away.”
Markle turned to a piece of advice husband Prince Harry once shared with her from his time serving as a pilot in the British Army. “Sometimes on very hard days, I remember he once said, ‘Even if there’s a storm happening, above that storm, the sun’s always shining,’” she said.
“That’s a perspective that only comes when you zoom out a little bit and think, ‘How many things have I gone through that felt hard, and still got through them?’” she continued. “It’s so important to maintain perspective that no matter what feels insurmountable, there’s always that sun shining above it.”
Cookie Queens hits theaters on Aug. 7.