A24's Awards Season Contender
A24 Acquires Jordan Firstman’s Acclaimed ‘Club Kid,’ Plans November Awards Season Push
Key Points
A24 won a Cannes bidding war for Club Kid, with reports of a roughly $17 million deal that beat out Netflix, Focus Features, Searchlight, and Mubi.
Club Kid premiered at Cannes to a seven-minute standing ovation, underscoring strong festival momentum ahead of its fall release.
Jordan Firstman wrote and directed Club Kid and also stars in it, marking his feature directorial debut.
Production and ensemble details include Anora Oscar-winner Alex Coco producing with Galen Core's Lurker; the cast features Cara Delevingne, Diego Calva, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Miss Benny, Colleen Camp, with Reggie Absolom as the 10-year-old son.
A24 has acquired Club Kid, Jordan Firstman's directorial debut, after winning a Cannes bidding war worth roughly $17 million, beating out Netflix, Focus Features, Searchlight, and Mubi, according to JoBlo. The film earned a seven-minute standing ovation at its Cannes premiere and is now set for a November 6 theatrical release.
A24 has set the film to screen at TIFF and NYFF before its wide release, signaling a full awards-season push, Hey U Guys reported. Industry buzz is already pointing to Club Kid as one of fall's most talked-about films.
A $17 Million Cannes Bidding War Won by A24
Club Kid set off a fierce acquisition battle at Cannes this year. A24 came out on top with a deal worth around $17 million, according to JoBlo. The competition included Netflix, Focus Features, Searchlight, and Mubi — a rare grouping of major buyers all chasing the same film.
The seven-minute standing ovation at its Cannes premiere made Club Kid one of the festival's biggest surprises. Yahoo News called it "the surprise hit" of this year's Cannes. That kind of buzz made the bidding war almost inevitable.
Firstman Writes, Directs, and Stars in His Debut
Jordan Firstman wears three hats on Club Kid. He wrote the script, directed the film, and plays the lead role. The story follows a queer New York City club promoter who finds out he has a 10-year-old son, according to Hey U Guys.
The film's ensemble cast is a major talking point. Cara Delevingne, Diego Calva, and Kirby Howell-Baptiste all appear alongside Firstman. British newcomer Reggie Absolom plays the 10-year-old son, a role that AOL says has drawn early attention.
Anora Producers Back This Queer-Themed Comedy-Drama
Club Kid comes from serious production pedigree. Alex Coco, who produced Anora — last year's Palme d'Or and Oscar winner — produced Club Kid alongside Galen Core's Lurker, according to JoBlo. That connection adds weight to the film's awards-season case.
The trailer shows a film that blends New York party-world energy with genuine emotional warmth. Head Topics described it as Firstman's "buzzy directorial debut," with a tone that mixes humor and heart. The queer-themed story aims to be joyful as much as it is moving.
TIFF, NYFF, and a November 6 Awards Push Ahead
Before hitting theaters, Club Kid will screen at two of North America's most important film festivals. TIFF and NYFF slots put the film in front of critics and awards voters at exactly the right time. A November 6 release date keeps it fresh in voters' minds.
A24 has a strong track record of turning festival hits into awards contenders. Yahoo News noted the film is already being called a major awards-season player. With a big acquisition price, festival buzz, and a November release, all the pieces are in place.
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