Jordan Firstman’s ‘Club Kid’ lands massive global deal after heated Cannes studio battle

Topic Studios backed the Cannes title as Netflix, Searchlight and Mubi joined the intense bidding race

A24 has secured worldwide rights to Club Kid after a heated bidding war at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, with the deal reportedly reaching $17m. The acquisition marks one of the biggest sales of this year’s festival and positions Jordan Firstman’s directorial debut as one of the most talked about independent films currently emerging from Cannes.

According to multiple industry reports, several major companies entered the race for the film following its premiere in the South of France. Netflix, Searchlight Pictures, Focus Features, Mubi and A24 were all said to be competing aggressively for distribution rights. Warner Bros’ indie label Clockwork also reportedly showed early interest before stepping away from negotiations. The bidding eventually escalated into the eight figure range, with A24 ultimately winning the rights package.

Club Kid stars Firstman himself and centres on a party promoter confronting adulthood after discovering he has a 10 year old son he never knew existed. The story follows his struggle between maintaining his nightlife lifestyle and accepting the responsibilities of fatherhood. The film blends comedy and drama while exploring themes of ageing, identity and emotional growth within contemporary nightlife culture.

The project was financed and produced by Topic Studios, with additional co financing from Stay Gold. Producers attached to the film include Academy Award winner Alex Coco, known for his work on Anora, alongside Galen Core, Ryan Heller and Michael Bloom. Firstman also serves as an executive producer on the project.

The acquisition arrives during a Cannes market viewed by many insiders as quieter than previous years. Several high profile titles entered the festival with distribution already secured, reducing competition across the marketplace. Despite that slower environment, Club Kid quickly emerged as one of the festival’s hottest properties after early screenings generated strong industry attention.

For A24, the purchase continues the company’s strategy of backing filmmaker driven projects with strong awards and commercial crossover potential. The studio has developed a reputation for supporting distinctive independent voices and building cultural momentum around unconventional films.

Firstman has already built recognition through acting, writing and online comedy work, but Club Kid represents his first feature as a director. The Cannes response and major sale now place the project among the festival’s breakout success stories of 2026.

The film does not yet have an official release date, though industry observers expect A24 to position it prominently within its upcoming release slate following the strong Cannes reception.