Jordan Firstman’s debut film Club Kid becomes Cannes sensation and awards contender
The writer, director and star's feature debut premiered at Cannes to a standing ovation and sold to A24 for $17 million in a heated bidding war.
Jordan Firstman’s debut feature film, Club Kid, has become one of the most closely watched projects on the festival circuit this year. The film, which Firstman wrote, directed and stars in, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard section in May, where it received a lengthy standing ovation. The project inspired a competitive bidding war among distributors, with A24 ultimately securing global rights for $17 million, edging out Focus Features, Searchlight, Netflix and Mubi.
The film marks a significant leap for Firstman, who built a following through Instagram comedy and work as a television writer on shows including Search Party, The Other Two and Big Mouth. His casting in television roles such as Ms. Marvel, The English Teacher and the current HBO series I Love L.A. has expanded his profile, but Club Kid represents his first feature-length directorial effort and leading film role. According to The Hollywood Reporter, A24 is positioning the film as an awards-season dark horse, submitting it to the Golden Globes in drama categories rather than the less competitive musical or comedy races.
The Film’s Story
Club Kid follows Peter, a nightlife promoter in New York City who has spent the last decade absorbed in hard partying, casual relationships and the downtown club scene. The character cycles through drug use, late nights and Uber Eats meals, shadowed by depression and low self-esteem. This routine is upended when a 10-year-old boy, Arlo, arrives at Peter’s SoHo apartment claiming to be his son.
The film marks an entry into a well-established genre: stories about childless adults who suddenly become single parents. Earlier examples include Big Daddy with Adam Sandler, Paper Moon and C’mon C’mon. Firstman saw potential in bringing a queer perspective to the category. “I already liked the genre, and I felt like a queer addition to the canon was actually not superfluous,” he told The Hollywood Reporter.
Production and Influences
Firstman shot Club Kid in 26 days on a budget just under $5 million, forgoing his own fees as writer, director and star to fund two key requirements: a pivotal location shoot in London and the decision to shoot on 35mm film stock. According to Variety, Firstman explained that the choice to use film rather than digital was deliberate. “We want prints of this movie made,” he said, describing it as vital to how the film exists within cinema.
The initial concept drew inspiration from early-2000s wish-fulfillment comedies like Uptown Girls and Big Daddy, but evolved during the writing process. “Once I started writing, it got a little Kramer vs. Kramer,” Firstman told Variety after Cannes. The final film explores themes of loss, redemption and personal transformation, with the character of Peter shaped by Firstman’s own experiences navigating loneliness, partying and relationships.
Career Path to Feature Directing
Firstman grew up in Northport on Long Island as the son of two Newsday journalists. He initially pursued musical theater at the University of Cincinnati but later dropped out to move to Los Angeles, where at 23 he landed work as a television writer on Search Party. A stint in Berlin, where he lived the club lifestyle that informs Club Kid, followed by experiences of heartbreak, contributed to the emotional core of the film.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, his breakthrough came through viral Instagram impression videos, particularly one that caught the attention of Ariana Grande. He later wrote a sketch for the 2020 Independent Spirit Awards hosted by Aubrey Plaza that highlighted LGBTQ+ representation among nominees, performed by the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles.
Two-time Oscar nominee Richard LaGravenese, who has mentored Firstman, told Variety that the filmmaker’s approach was unsurprising. “What makes Jordan special is that, like any good artist, you don’t wait for an invitation,” LaGravenese said. “You create the space for yourself in the culture. He’s done it by sticking to who he is.”
Awards Consideration and Festival Reception
Club Kid premiered at the New York Film Festival in October to significant industry and press attention. The film has generated considerable momentum heading into awards season, competing alongside other 2026 queer-focused releases including La Bola Negra, Elsinore, Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma and Coward. These films, according to Variety, represent some of the most elevated queer storytelling mainstream Hollywood has produced in recent years, though queerness functions as integral to the stories rather than the sole focus.
This article was compiled by the Glamorade editorial desk from the official announcements and reporting listed under Sources.
