The Grand Prix at the Deauville American Film Festival was awarded to Club Kid, a debut film by Jordan Firstman. The Jury Prize was shared between Méli-Mélo by Leah Nelson, an animated film exploring Alzheimer’s disease, and If I Go Will They Miss Me by Walter Thompson-Hernández, which focuses on a father-son relationship in a poor Los Angeles neighborhood. The festival, which ran from September 4 to September 13, honored several films with awards, highlighting a range of storytelling styles and themes. Club Kid, Jordan Firstman’s first feature film, received enthusiastic reception at the Cannes Film Festival in May and was celebrated again at Deauville. The film, set in New York, follows Peter, a host of trendy parties, whose life changes when he discovers he has a 10-year-old son he never knew about. Firstman, who is also the film’s star, gained attention through his humorous social media videos during the pandemic. The film also features model Cara Delevingne and was awarded the People’s Choice Award by the city of Deauville. The festival jury, chaired by actor Roschdy Zem, included notable figures such as Simon Abkarian, Camille Chamoux, and Cécile de France. Thirteen films were in competition, with Méli-Mélo also receiving the Critics’ Prize for its poignant portrayal of Alzheimer’s disease. If I Go Will They Miss Me was praised for its emotional narrative about family dynamics in a challenging urban environment. The Deauville American Film Festival, established in 1975 by Lionel Chouchan and André Halimi, continues to showcase emerging and established talent in American cinema. This year’s winners include Club Kid for the Grand Prix and People’s Choice Award, Méli-Mélo for the Jury Prize and Critics’ Prize, and If I Go Will They Miss Me for the Jury Prize. Other awards were given to Mouse for the Revelation Prize, Test for the Canal+ Prize, and La Gradiva for the Ornano-Valenti Prize. All winning films are set to premiere in theaters across the coming months.