It won’t be Thin Mints or Somoas for Roadside Attractions, rather the distrib is taking all U.S. rights to Cookie Queens, the documentary executive produced by the Duchess and Duke of Sussex that world premiered at Sundance. A summer theatrical release is in the works.
Directed and produced by Alysa Nahmias (Unfinished Spaces, Art & Krimes by Krimes, Wildcat), the pic follows a group of parents and their daughters as they navigate through the competitive Girl Scout Cookie season.
Cookie Queens was produced by award-winning filmmakers Michael Dweck and Gregory Kershaw of Beautiful Stories (Gaucho Gaucho, The Truffle Hunters, The Last Race), Alysa Nahmias for AJNA Films, and Jennifer Sims.
“Cookie Queens shines a light on an iconic American tradition that millions of people recognize but rarely stop to consider,” said Roadside co-presidents Eric d’Arbeloff and Howard Cohen on Thursday. “Alysa’s funny and deeply affecting portrait of these girls and their families had Sundance audiences cheering and stayed with us long after the credits rolled. We’re excited to share it with a broad audience in theaters soon.”
“Girl Scout Cookies are more than a beloved tradition – they’re a big business where talented and hard-working girls generate $800 million in annual sales. For me, this became a fascinating lens to explore a story about girlhood — the ambition, resilience, humor, and vulnerability that emerge as these girls navigate growing up in a world shaped by the tensions between community and capitalism.” said Nahmias. “After the incredible response at Sundance, I’m honored to partner with Roadside Attractions, whose commitment to theatrical storytelling makes them the perfect home to bring this film to audiences nationwide”
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, previously shared, “As a former Girl Scout myself, with my mom as my troop leader, I have a personal affinity for this film and am proud that Archewell Productions has partnered with this award-winning team to executive produce this incredibly captivating film.” She added, “Alysa’s creative point of view, the edgy yet humanizing tone and tenor of the directing, and the glimpse behind-the-scenes into such a nostalgic and also modern tradition of Girl Scout Cookie season are absolutely irresistible.”
Cookie Queens is a Beautiful Stories & AJNA Films Production in association with Archewell Productions, Artemis Rising Foundation and Good Gravy Films. Executive producers are Meghan, Duchess of Sussex; Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex; Chanel Pysnik; Regina K. Scully; Hallee Adelman; Ann Lewnes; Stephen G. Hall; Ruth Ann Harnisch; Geralyn Dreyfous; Tegan Acton; Emma Pompetti; James Costa; Trevor Burgess; Sheri Sobrato; Jamie Wolf; Nathalie Seaver; Andrea van Beuren; Jennifer Pelling; Melony & Adam Lewis; and Heather Kahlert.
Roadside Attractions’ track record with docs includes the Academy Award-nominated Super Size Me and the Academy Award-winning The Cove. Other notable Roadside docs include The September Issue, Project Nim, Sarah Polley’s award-winning Stories We Tell, Whitney, Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It, the Oscar-shortlisted Beyond Utopia and the The Alpinist.
Most recently the company released the 98th Oscar Nominated Shorts, presented by Taika Waititi, exclusively in theaters in the U.S. and Canada.