A24 Secures $17 Million Deal for Jordan Firstman's Cannes Film “Club Kid”

A24 acquired worldwide rights to Jordan Firstman's debut “Club Kid” after Cannes 2026 Un Certain Regard premiere. The film follows a washed-up party promoter forced to raise a ten-year-old son. Deal negotiated by UTA Independent Film Group with Charades; finalized days after the May 15 premiere.

Variety Magazine

Club Kid earned a seven-minute standing ovation; Cara Delevingne was moved to tears and Firstman led a chant for co-star Reggie Absolom. In a quieter Cannes market, the film became a breakout sale, drawing bids from Netflix, Focus Features, Searchlight, Mubi, Warner Bros.’ Clockwork and Neon before A24 prevailed.

A24 Wins $17M Club Kid Deal After Heated Cannes Bidding War — THE CINEMA GROUP

Firstman writes, directs and stars as Peter. The cast includes Cara Delevingne, Diego Calva, Reggie Absolom (son Arlo) and Eldar Isgandarov. Producers Alex Coco and Galen Core lead Topic Studios’ team of Ryan Heller and Michael Bloom, with Stay Gold co-financing. Executive producers: Ian Stratford, Charles Croft, Jasmine Daghighian, Olmo Schnabel, Daniela Taplin. Adam Newport-Berra shot on 35 mm.

Deadline Hollywood

The film premiered on May 15 2026 in Un Certain Regard. Bidding rose from seven-figure offers on May 15-18 to an eight-figure race. Variety, TheCinemaGroup and Newsday cite a $17 million purchase; other outlets mention “high-teens” or an “eight-figure” range. A24 will distribute globally, with partners Leonine (Germany/Austria) and Nordisk Film (Scandinavia).

A24 Wins $17M Club Kid Deal After Heated Cannes Bidding War — THE CINEMA GROUP

The deal underscores A24’s strategy of acquiring filmmaker-driven indie titles with awards potential and signals confidence in a queer-centered family story without conventional star power. As one of Cannes 2026’s first major sales, it highlights the festival’s shift toward projects lacking pre-existing distribution.

Express Tribune

TheWrap’s Zachary Lee praised the film’s warmth but warned that Firstman “often gets in his own way, commandeering the film to act as PR (or damage control) for himself,” suggesting a self-promotional slant.

The Wrap

The acquisition was negotiated by UTA Film Group with Charades’ assistance, and A24’s move “continues its aggressive festival acquisition strategy.”

A24 Wins $17M Club Kid Deal After Heated Cannes Bidding War — THE CINEMA GROUP

Sources differ on the purchase amount: Variety and Newsday cite $17 million, while other outlets mention only “high-teens” or an “eight-figure” range. No release date announced.

Variety Magazine

• “An unlikely but still beautifully human story.” — Damon Wiseman, Deadline reviewer

Deadline Hollywood

• “Elegant switch into a more serious tone, one that addresses all the questions you might have had about this man and his fitness to raise a kid.” — Damon Wiseman, Deadline reviewer

Deadline Hollywood

• “A crowd-pleasing queer family drama.” — Screen Daily review

Newsday

• “Knockout ending.” — Screen Daily review

Newsday

A24 plans a theatrical release later in 2026, with partners rolling out the film in Europe and Scandinavia. The exact date remains pending as the studio aligns the title with its awards-season slate.

A24 Wins $17M Club Kid Deal After Heated Cannes Bidding War — THE CINEMA GROUP