Jordan Firstman’s A24 Hit “Club Kid” Takes Over Historic NYC Underground Spot as Historic Oscar Buzz Mounts

Writer-director Jordan Firstman just turned the Lower East Side upside down for the New York City red carpet premiere of his breakout film Club Kid. The celebration took over the storied Ukrainian National Home, temporarily transforming the historic downtown hall into “Club Labor,” the fictional nightlife haven central to the movie’s plot.

Backed by indie powerhouse A24 after a high-profile debut at the Cannes Film Festival, the project has quickly vaulted from festival darling to serious awards season contender. The film already secured two Gotham Awards nominations, fueling conversations about a potential run at the Academy Awards.

The party offered an immersive homage to New York counterculture, perfectly matching the spirit of Firstman’s onscreen world.

Jordan Firstman and Cara Delevingne at the Club Kid after-party.

Inside the Downtown Transformation of “Club Labor”

Turning the Ukrainian National Home into a vibrant nightclub carried deep local resonance. The multi-level hall in Manhattan’s East Village holds a celebrated place in independent music history.

During the 1980s and beyond, the space hosted iconic performances by New Order—formed shortly after Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis passed away—as well as The Misfits, Phish, Blues Traveler, and Gogol Bordello. It also served as a venue for tribute events honoring nightlife pioneer David Mancuso, who launched the underground rave phenomenon in 1970 with his legendary invite-only “Loft” parties on Broadway.

Nightclub pioneer David Mancuso, founder of the legendary Loft parties.

To recreate the atmosphere of “Club Labor,” party organizers suspended silver tinsel and an enormous disco ball from the high ceiling, while hopscotch panels stretched across the active dance floor. Guests enjoyed a menu featuring pierogies, stuffed cabbage, and french fries paired with signature pineapple-jalapeño cocktails, with DJ Bearcat controlling the sound booth throughout the night.

Midway through the festivities, Firstman sat down at a piano alongside his 12-year-old co-star Reggie Absolom. The duo performed an impromptu duet of “Thoroughfare” by alternative artist Ethel Cain, which Firstman has highlighted as his favorite song.

Jordan Firstman and cast members introduce Club Kid at the New York premiere.

The Star-Studded Guest List and Festival Run

The event drew a wide circle of entertainment figures, cultural commentators, and digital creators to celebrate the film’s theatrical rollout. Attendees took home custom promotional T-shirts screen-printed with memorable dialogue from the script.

High-profile guests spotted across the floor included:

• Cara Delevingne, Chloë Sevigny, and Joey King
• Veteran screen actors Bob Balaban and Colleen Camp
• Director Francesca Scorsese and comedian Benito Skinner
• Digital creators Kareem Rahma (host of “Subway Takes”) and Julian Shapiro-Barnum (creator of “Recess Therapy”)
• Podcasters Dan Rosen and Brian Park of the “Middlebrow Podcast”
• Higher Ground’s “Lemme Say This” co-hosts Hunter Harris and Peyton Dix

Cara Delevingne and Jordan Firstman arrive at the premiere.

Prior to arriving in Manhattan, the comedy-drama built steady momentum on the circuit, landing official screenings at the Toronto International Film Festival, New York Film Festival, Hamptons International Film Festival, and Chicago Film Festival.

Breaking Down the “Club Kid” Trajectory

A Rare Hollywood Milestone Within Reach

A widespread assumption among moviegoers is that first-time writer-directors rarely compete at the absolute highest level of the Academy Awards during their debut outing. Hollywood history usually reserves that tier of multi-hyphenate recognition for seasoned industry heavyweights.

Yet industry watchers are eyeing a benchmark that has stood untouched for generations.

“If ‘Club Kid’ goes the distance and gets a Best Picture nomination, Firstman will be the first debut director and sole writer and actor to earn a Best Picture nom since Orson Welles!”

Welles famously set that standard with Citizen Kane, establishing a standard for triple-threat debuts. Whether Firstman matches that historic record remains the biggest talking point as the campaign heats up.

✨ With strong word of mouth and distribution muscle behind it, Club Kid is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about indie releases of the season.

📱 Film buffs are already tracking its journey from late-night party sensation to major podium contender.

💬 Can Jordan Firstman make awards history this winter? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and share this story!