Big Daddy: How Jordan Firstman Turned ‘Club Kid’ Into a Glorious, Gay, Oscar-Worthy Crowdpleaser

Jordan Firstman’s feature debut, *Club Kid*, became a major acquisition after a bidding contest at Cannes, with A24 securing worldwide rights for $17 million. The film’s success marks a significant step for Firstman, whose online comedy persona and earlier work have centred on queer culture, and brings his first feature as writer-director and leading actor to a broad audience.

Firstman plays Peter, a New York nightlife promoter whose years of partying and casual relationships are disrupted when 10-year-old Arlo arrives, saying he is Peter’s son. The story uses humour to explore love and personal growth within contemporary gay life. The article also recalls Firstman’s insistence that a gay actor be cast in an earlier television project, which ultimately was not made.