Lunchbox Expands into Film Distribution with A24’s Cannes Sensation ‘Club Kid’
Manila-based independent entertainment marketing agency Lunchbox is officially expanding its horizons by acquiring the exclusive Philippine theatrical distribution rights to A24’s highly anticipated queer comedy-drama, Club Kid. This milestone transition from a specialized film marketing outfit to a full-scale distribution player comes on the heels of the agency’s major win at the 2026 Kidlat Awards, where they swept top prizes for their innovative marketing campaign for Petersen Vargas’ queer indie feature, Some Nights I Feel Like Walking.
A New Chapter for Lunchbox
While Lunchbox previously co-distributed Antoinette Jadaone’s Berlinale-winning sports drama Sunshine, Club Kid marks the agency’s solo debut in the local distribution market. The company is already deeply familiar with handling international cinema, having previously managed the local promotional campaigns for A24 hits like Priscilla and The Smashing Machine. Now, the team is stepping up to bring Club Kid directly to Philippine theaters this November.
About the Film
Club Kid marks the feature directorial and writing debut of American internet comedy sensation Jordan Firstman. Set against the backdrop of New York City’s vibrant nightlife, the broad family comedy-drama stars Firstman as a chaotic, 30-something gay party promoter whose life is turned upside down when the 10-year-old son he never knew he had unexpectedly shows up at his door.
Critical Acclaim and Local Vision
The film has already garnered significant international momentum, earning a six-minute standing ovation during its world premiere in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival, followed by a prestigious screening at the Telluride Film Festival that sparked early Oscar buzz.
According to filmmaker and Lunchbox founder Carl Chavez, this acclaimed feature perfectly embodies the high-quality, compelling cinematic experiences that the agency aims to deliver to Filipino audiences.
“Even if it’s a foreign film, it can still find a home here in the Philippines,” he said. “It’s about the importance of families in whichever form it may be— stories I think we Filipinos relate to in general.”
“True to Lunchbox’s core, we really try to champion stories that hit close to home,” added Chavez, who previously led Lunchbox’s dynamic marketing campaigns for gritty Filipino titles Filipiñana, Some Nights I Feel Like Walking, Sunshine and box-office hit The Loved One.
An Appetite for Risk
Securing the Philippine rights for Club Kid represents a major, passion-driven risk for Lunchbox, according to founder Carl Chavez. Chavez revealed that he took a gamble by reaching out directly to A24 after realizing how perfectly the film aligned with the agency’s creative identity. Fueled by this appetite for risk, Chavez stated that Lunchbox is ready to go all-in by seamlessly blending its award-winning marketing expertise with its new distribution capabilities.
“It’s a big investment for us since we’re a small company. For big companies, it’s probably loose change, but for an independent boutique agency, it’s a big gamble,” he noted. “But I like taking risks. We will make this one count.”
Ultimately, the gamble is about mastering the film distribution process—a milestone Chavez intends to reach by capitalizing on Lunchbox’s signature marketing ingenuity.
“I know this is a foreign film, but it’s also a test for Filipino audiences. The dream is when we crack something out of it, we could apply that to Filipino films in general,” the Lunchbox founder said.
Leveraging its trademark gritty and immersive promotional style, Lunchbox promises to apply its distinct, unconventional approach to building momentum ahead of Club Kid’s local theatrical premiere this November.
“Our objective is not just to distribute Club Kid, but to market it by breaking traditions,” Chavez said. “It will be a full experience for the audience.”
