Jordan Firstman’s Debut Feature 'Club Kid' Blends Queer Nightlife Chaos with Found Family
Jordan Firstman’s directorial debut, 'Club Kid,' premiered at the 2026 New York Film Festival to critical acclaim. The film follows Peter, a chaotic club promoter in Brooklyn, who unexpectedly becomes the guardian of Arlo, a 10-year-old son from a past encounter. Shot on 35mm, the movie balances gritty nightlife realism with tender father-son bonding, avoiding simplistic redemption arcs to celebrate queer community and chosen family.
Key points
- Jordan Firstman, a comedian and actor, directs his first feature, 'Club Kid,' which premiered at the New York Film Festival on October 3, 2026.
- The plot centers on Peter, a club promoter in Brooklyn, who is forced to care for Arlo, a 10-year-old boy revealed to be his son from a decade-old encounter.
- Cara Delevingne plays Sophie, Peter’s business partner, delivering a performance described as her best yet, while Reggie Absolom portrays Arlo.
- The film is shot on 35mm film stock, emphasizing a physical, warm aesthetic that captures the gritty reality of New York’s Lower East Side and club scene.
- Real nightlife personalities, including Alaska Riley and Miss Benny, appear in the film, adding authenticity to the portrayal of queer nightlife.
- The movie is scheduled for a US theatrical release on November 6, 2026, with UK and Australian releases to follow.
Background
The 2026 New York Film Festival has featured several projects shot on physical film stock, including Paul Thomas Anderson’s concert documentary 'Cameron Winter at Carnegie Hall,' which also utilizes 35mm and 16mm formats. This trend highlights a renewed interest in analog aesthetics in contemporary cinema, a choice that 'Club Kid' also embraces to enhance its visual texture and emotional resonance.
Why it matters
'Club Kid' offers a nuanced portrayal of queer life in New York, resisting the trope that nightlife is merely a destructive phase to be outgrown. By integrating the chaos of clubbing with the responsibilities of parenthood, the film validates both aspects of the protagonist’s life. Its critical success at the festival suggests a strong appetite for authentic, character-driven narratives that explore the complexities of chosen family and community in urban settings.
What to watch
The film is set to begin its US theatrical run on November 6, 2026. International releases in the UK and Australia are expected to follow shortly after. The positive reception at the New York Film Festival, including a standing ovation at the Lincoln Center premiere, indicates strong potential for broader distribution and critical recognition.
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