A24 Buys 'Club Kid' for $17 Million After 6-Studio Cannes Bidding War
Updated
Updated · Variety · May 20
A24 Buys 'Club Kid' for $17 Million After 6-Studio Cannes Bidding War
4 articles · Updated · Variety · May 20
$17 million bought A24 world rights to Jordan Firstman’s Cannes breakout “Club Kid,” his directorial debut after a six-studio bidding fight.
Wide acclaim at the festival drove the sale, with the film emerging as an unconventional standout beyond the main competition titles.
Firstman said theatrical release was essential to the deal, adding that he gave up fees to shoot on 35mm and wanted prints made.
Seven or eight offers came in, and Firstman said he pushed buyers to fully support the film’s trans and queer cast during promotion.
The sale caps a breakout Cannes week for Firstman, whose film pairs queer New York party culture with a father-son story he says is meant as a human drama, not an industry test.
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The 2026 Cannes Film Market is marked by caution, with traditional dealmaking slowing and buyers hesitant to commit upfront. Despite this, A24 and Amazon have stood out by making bold, headline-grabbing acquisitions, such as A24’s purchase of 'Club Kid' and Amazon’s investment in 'Pumping Black.' These moves signal a shift toward projects with strong cultural relevance and innovative appeal. The market is also seeing new financing models, a rise in international co-productions, and the growing influence of AI and Gen Z audiences. Overall, Cannes remains a vital hub for creativity and connection, even as the industry adapts to new challenges.