The high from Jordan Firstman’s Cannes player “Club Kid” has carried over to the sales market, as the filmmaker’s directorial debut has sparked a bidding war.
After glowing reviews from Firstman’s Friday premiere in the festival’s Un Certain Regard section, multiple high-profile distributors are throwing down for the dramedy – one that’s earned praise for balancing a hedonistic portrait of queer life in New York City with a heartwarming story of an unlikely father and son.
Mubi, Focus Features, Searchlight Pictures, A24 and Netflix are leading contenders, multiple sources told Variety. Offers are coming in at the high seven-figure range, three sources said, in a deal that could ultimately close for eight figures. UTA is handling sales with an international assist from Charades.
Christian Parkes’ new Warner Bros. indie label Clockwork engaged on the title but has already bowed out, per two insiders. Teddy Schwarzman’s Black Bear is also said to be interested, and offers from other companies are expected as Cannes hits its mid-point this weekend.
The filmmakers had no immediate comment. The process could take days given the high level of interest, but Firstman’s triumphant debut marks the first frenzied negotiation of this year’s muted market (many titles came to Cannes with distribution, including Neon’s nine films in the official selection).
