Sundance Closes Salt Lake City Chapter with 'Cookie Queens' Premiere

Community leaders, Girl Scouts, and filmgoers reflect on the legacy of Robert Redford and the nearly five decades of independent film and storytelling the festival has brought to Utah.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 2:23pm

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The world premiere of Alysa Nahmias' documentary 'Cookie Queens' brought Girl Scouts new and old together to celebrate the cookie season, including former scout Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, who was an executive producer on the film with her husband, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. Before the film, community leaders, Girl Scouts and filmgoers reflected on the legacy of Robert Redford and the nearly five decades of independent film and storytelling the Sundance Film Festival has brought to Salt Lake City.

Why it matters

The 'Cookie Queens' documentary and the Sundance Film Festival's final celebration in Salt Lake City marked the end of an era, as the festival departs the city after nearly 50 years of bringing independent film, storytelling, and a sense of community to Utah. The event highlighted the festival's impact on the state and the bittersweet emotions surrounding its departure.

The details

The world premiere of 'Cookie Queens' brought together Girl Scouts, community leaders, and filmgoers to celebrate the cookie season and reflect on the legacy of the Sundance Film Festival. Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall and Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson both spoke about the festival's impact on the community, with Wilson describing how Sundance helped redefine Utah's image and contributed to economic growth. Amy Redford, the founder's daughter and steward of the Sundance Institute, spoke about her father's vision for the festival and his commitment to nourishing storytellers from around the world.

  • The 'Cookie Queens' documentary premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival on January 24, 2026.
  • Robert Redford, the founder of the Sundance Film Festival, passed away in September 2025.

The players

Alysa Nahmias

The director of the documentary 'Cookie Queens'.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex

A former Girl Scout who was an executive producer on the 'Cookie Queens' documentary.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex's husband, who was also an executive producer on the 'Cookie Queens' documentary.

Robert Redford

The founder of the Sundance Film Festival, who passed away in September 2025.

Amy Redford

Robert Redford's daughter, who is a steward and board member of the Sundance Institute.

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What they’re saying

“It is a familial kind of feeling every year. This is how we kick off Sundance together. This is a cultural tradition. It's an artistic investment. It's an expression, I think, of the values and culture of who we are.”

— Erin Mendenhall, Salt Lake City Mayor (Park Record)

“A lot of memories have been shared since the passing of Robert Redford. It's been really meaningful. It's been thoughtful and kind of heartbreaking for me.”

— Jenny Wilson, Salt Lake County Mayor (Park Record)

“In those early years, we showed up. We built infrastructure. We built better projectors. We found new places to showcase film. Our people were the snowplow drivers and the volunteers. Year after year after year, Utah showed up.”

— Jenny Wilson, Former Sundance Staffer (Park Record)

“When Dad could have built an empire, he built a nest. Meant not to contain, but to nourish, nurture and set free.”

— Amy Redford, Sundance Institute Steward and Board Member (Park Record)

“This is one of those films that was just an immediate, unanimous yes, and you'll see why. But it's that joy, it's that hope that we see in the girls who are portrayed in this film that brought us to a place where we just knew we wanted to share it with you tonight here.”

— Eugene Hernandez, Sundance Film Festival Director (Park Record)

What’s next

The Sundance Film Festival will no longer hold its annual event in Salt Lake City, as the festival is evolving and moving to a new location.

The takeaway

The 'Cookie Queens' documentary and the Sundance Film Festival's final celebration in Salt Lake City marked the end of an era, as the festival departs the city after nearly 50 years of bringing independent film, storytelling, and a sense of community to Utah. The event highlighted the festival's lasting impact on the state and the bittersweet emotions surrounding its departure.