There may have been a reason Sundance chose Cookie Queens as the opening night premiere; the film reflects exactly what the festival has long stood for. Beyond red carpets and celebrities, Sundance remains a place where artists are given the time of day to tell intimate, meaningful stories—especially those that might otherwise be overlooked. Through its focus on sisterhood, girlhood, and identity, Cookie Queens underscores why Sundance remains a platform for voices shaping the next generation of storytelling.
Directed by Alysa Nahamias, Cookie Queens follows a group of Girl Scouts during cookie season, using the familiar ritual as a lens into girlhood, ambition, and community. Nahamias explained that the idea for the film came after hearing a story from her producer about being sold “an outrageous amount” of cookies. What stood out wasn’t just the humor of the moment, but the world behind it. “That’s a visually rich world, full of incredible characters,” she said, adding that it gave her a way to explore themes she’s deeply interested in: “girlhood, ambition, identity, and individuals within institutions.”
The girls in the film solidified those themes—to many of them, being a Girl Scout is much more than an after-school activity. “Being a Girl Scout is such a big part of my life and my identity,” said Olive G.“It’s such a safe space for everyone, including me, and it creates this real sense of sisterhood.” Others emphasized the emotional and social bonds formed within their troops. Speaking on the press line, Shannon Elizabeth reflected on her own experience, saying, “I don’t feel like I have to be just one version of myself. I can really express who I am.”
Additionally, the girls pushed back against the narrow public perception of the organization. “Cookie selling is definitely part of Girl Scouts, but it’s not the main thing,” said Celia K. “It’s really about sisterhood, making friends, and going through life together,” Nyah added, noting that the experience extends far beyond childhood—participating in Girl Scouts can shape futures, careers, and confidence long after graduation.
Nala B., Nikki B., Nyah B., Celia K. and Olive G. attend Cookie Queens by Alysa Nahmias, an official selection of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. Photo by Breanna Downs, courtesy the Sundance Institute.
The themes in the film mirror the roles the Sundance Film Festival has played in many lives. In an industry that often sidelines stories about young women unless they’re sensationalized or simplified, Sundance continues to champion films that sit in quieter, more honest spaces. Nahamias said the festival has meant a lot to her as an artist; “Having participated in Sundance fellowships and labs, premiering Cookie Queens here felt like a full-circle moment.” Nahmias said, “Sundance feels like the first seed, the place where a film begins to grow into something much bigger and reaches audiences everywhere,” she said.
The timing of this film’s Sundance debut is perfect. Cookie season is currently underway, and having conversations around girlhood, identity, and pressure feels especially urgent because it reminds us how early expectations begin to shape who girls are allowed to become. Nahamias hopes the film is watched collectively, by families and sparks conversations that are often difficult to have. “I want children to see themselves represented, teenagers to feel understood, and adults to reflect,” she said. “What it means to be a girl is always evolving, and that’s worth documenting.”
Inside a panel room packed with Utah legislators listening to young girls speak about their sense of self, it became clear why the festival matters. It remains a place where emerging voices are seen, where intimate stories are treated with seriousness, and where films like Cookie Queens can remind audiences that girlhood, in all its complexity, deserves to be documented.
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This story is jointly published by Salt Lake magazine and non-profit Amplify Utah to elevate perspectives in local media through student and emerging journalism.
