A24 Wins Global Rights to Club Kid After Cannes Bidding War

A24 has officially walked away from Cannes with the biggest deal of the festival so far. Jordan Firstman‘s debut feature Club Kid sold for a reported $17 million after a heated weekend of bidding in the South of France — and frankly, given the response the film got, it was never really going to go anywhere else.

Club Kid marks the first major sale at this year’s Cannes, one notably light on Hollywood star power or blockbuster muscle. Which makes the feeding frenzy all the more satisfying to watch.

Club Kid

A24 outbid virtually every other major indie and studio distributor, including Focus Features, Searchlight, Netflix, and Mubi to secure the film. Warner Bros.’s new indie label Clockwork also expressed interest but bowed out early. According to Deadline, the deal grew and grew following the premiere, surpassing eight figures and closing in the high teens. This is the same studio currently filming Flesh of the Gods with Kristen Stewart, so it’s shaping up to be a strong year for them.

Firstman wrote and directed Club Kid in his feature debut and stars alongside Cara Delevingne, Diego Calva, and newcomer Reggie Absolom. The film follows a washed-up party promoter who is forced to turn his life around when he suddenly finds himself responsible for his 10-year-old son. The boy arrives as if from outer space — or at least from London.

Club Kid had its world premiere at the Un Certain Regard section of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival on May 15, where it was nominated for the Caméra d’Or and the Queer Palm. During the film’s seven-minute standing ovation, lead actress Cara Delevingne teared up. Firstman picked up costar Reggie Absolom and started a chant in his honor. So, you know — low-key premiere.

Deadline reviewer Damon Wise described the film as “an unlikely but still beautifully human story.” Screen Daily‘s Wendy Ide assessed that Firstman’s depiction of queer party culture is “loving, authentic and non-judgemental” and that the film could become a “breakout indie hit.” It’s the kind of Cannes critical reception that turns a buzzy acquisition into an awards conversation overnight.

Cara Delevingne is a familiar face to UK audiences — the British model-turned-actress brings genuine warmth to her role as Sophie, Firstman’s right-hand woman and fellow devotee of the darkroom. The film was shot on 35mm, with cinematography by Adam Newport-Berra. No UK release date has been confirmed yet, though with A24 now holding global rights, a theatrical window seems inevitable — and likely one worth keeping an eye on if you’re anywhere near a BFI-partnered cinema.

Club Kid was produced by Academy Award-winner Alex Coco (Anora) and Galen Core (Lurker), alongside Topic Studios’ Ryan Heller and Michael Bloom. Topic Studios financed the film with Stay Gold as co-financier. UTA Independent Film Group negotiated the deal on behalf of the filmmaking team, with Charades International helping launch the film at Cannes.

We’ll keep you posted on updates about Club Kid as the project develops.