A24 backs Firstman’s directorial debut about discovery of hidden son
Developing story first seen 2 hours ago
A24 has released the first trailer for "Club Kid," the directorial debut of comedian Jordan Firstman, following its acclaimed premiere at this year's Cannes Film Festival. The film sparked a bidding war among studios including Netflix, Searchlight Pictures, Focus Features and Mubi before A24 secured distribution rights for $17 million, and it is now positioned as a centrepiece of the studio's autumn awards campaign alongside Jesse Eisenberg's "The Debut."
Firstman wrote, directed and stars in the film as a queer party promoter who has outgrown the club scene, whose life is upended when he meets the ten-year-old son he never knew existed. The cast includes Cara Delevingne, Diego Calva, Kirby Howell-Baptiste and Reggie Absolom, and Variety's Cannes review called it a "sweet, surprisingly old-fashioned heartwarmer" evoking the style of "Anora" director Sean Baker. Firstman told Variety that ensuring his queer cast was fully supported on the promotional tour was a priority in his buyer meetings, and "Club Kid" is set to release in cinemas on 6 November.
- A24 releases first trailer for Jordan Firstman's Cannes hit "Club Kid"
- Studio paid $17 million after a multi-studio bidding war
- Film, starring Cara Delevingne and Diego Calva, opens 6 November
New here? Start with this
Club Kid is the debut film from Jordan Firstman, a comedian better known for his online sketch and impression videos, who has written, directed and stars in the project. The story follows a gay party promoter who is growing tired of nightlife culture, and whose life changes suddenly when he discovers he has a ten-year-old son he never knew about. It features a cast that includes Cara Delevingne, Diego Calva and Kirby Howell-Baptiste.
The film first drew attention after its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, where it received positive reviews and prompted competing offers from several major studios and streaming services. Distributor A24, known for backing distinctive independent and arthouse films, ultimately won the rights and is now promoting Club Kid as part of its slate for this year's awards season.
The film matters partly because of the scale of interest it generated among buyers, and partly because it marks a notable transition for Firstman from online comedy into feature filmmaking. Its focus on queer characters and family has also been a point of discussion in coverage of the production and its promotion.
More coverage
Art Celebrity Culture Entertainment Film
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by Variety as “‘Club Kid’ Trailer: Jordan Firstman Is a Party Promoter With a Surprise Son in His A24 Cannes Sensation”.