Roadside Attractions, an independent production and distribution company, has acquired the US cinema rights to a documentary film executive-produced by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The film, titled 'Cookie Queens', focuses on the American Girl Scouts and their annual cookie-selling season, a cherished national tradition.
Film Details and Acquisition
Variety magazine first reported the acquisition of 'Cookie Queens', a coming-of-age documentary that delves into the world of Girl Scouts during their iconic fundraising drive. Roadside Attractions, known for distributing acclaimed films like Morgan Spurlock's 'Super Size Me' and Oscar-nominated short films, expressed strong enthusiasm for the project.
Co-presidents Eric d'Arbeloff and Howard Cohen of Roadside Attractions stated: "Cookie Queens shines a light on an iconic American tradition that millions of people recognise but rarely stop to consider." They described the documentary as a "funny and deeply affecting portrait" and confirmed they are "excited to share it with a broad audience in theatres soon."
Meghan Markle's Personal Connection
The Duchess of Sussex, who was a Girl Scout herself during her childhood, shared her personal affinity for the film. "As a former Girl Scout myself, with my mom as my troop leader, I have a personal affinity for this film," Meghan said. She added that it represents "one of the most powerful and meaningful depictions of something that is an American tradition and rooted in nostalgia."
'Cookie Queens' was directed by Alysa Nahmias and produced through a partnership between Archewell Productions (the Sussexes' production company), Beautiful Stories, and AJNA Films. Following its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, the documentary is scheduled to appear at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival before receiving a wider cinema release across the United States this summer.
Context of Sussex Media Ventures
This acquisition comes as the Duke and Duchess continue to navigate their various media and business ventures. Earlier this year, reports indicated that the second season of Meghan's podcast 'With Love, Meghan' did not rank among the top 1,000 most-watched programmes on Netflix.
Additionally, Meghan's lifestyle brand, As Ever, which offers products like jams, herbal teas, and chocolates, recently ended its partnership with Netflix. A spokesperson for the brand stated it was "now ready to stand on its own." The Sussexes had signed a revised first-look deal with Netflix last year, granting the streaming platform first option on projects developed through Archewell Productions.
Upcoming Royal Engagements
Separately from their media projects, the Duke and Duchess are preparing for an upcoming trip to Australia next month. Meghan is set to be the main attraction at an event in Sydney billed as the "ultimate girls' weekend," with tickets costing £1,440 each.
Organised by Gemma O'Neill of the Her Best Life podcast, the three-day event from April 17 to 19 will host approximately 300 attendees. VIP tickets priced at £1,700 include front-row seats at a gala dinner and a group photo opportunity with the Duchess of Sussex.
