Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo, collectively known as Los Javis, have made a significant splash at the Cannes Film Festival with their latest film, “La Bola Negra” (“The Black Ball”). Following a highly acclaimed premiere that garnered a rapturous reception and a 16-minute standing ovation, the film has ignited a fierce multi-studio bidding war for its U.S. distribution rights. Among the prominent contenders vying for the acquisition are A24, Mubi, and Netflix, signaling strong industry interest in the Spanish queer epic.

The premiere of “The Black Ball” marked Los Javis’ debut in the Cannes competition, a significant milestone for the filmmaking duo who have cultivated a dedicated international fanbase through their successful series “Veneno” and “La Mesías.” Their new film, inspired by an unfinished fragment from the renowned Spanish poet and playwright Federico García Lorca, delves into 85 years of Spanish history through a queer lens. Its critical reception has placed it in contention for both the prestigious Palme d’Or and the Queer Palm awards.

The bidding war for “The Black Ball” is notably the second major sales battle at this year’s festival, following Jordan Firstman’s “Club Kid,” which was ultimately acquired by A24 for $17 million. While A24 is among the bidders for "The Black Ball," its acquisition of a non-English-language film would be somewhat surprising, given its historical focus. In contrast, Mubi is well-established in distributing international cinema, and Netflix possesses a proven track record of championing local-language productions worldwide. Neon, another distributor with a history of foreign-language films, also brought nine titles to the festival, though its potential involvement in the bidding for "The Black Ball" remains unconfirmed.

“The Black Ball” intricately weaves together the interconnected lives of three gay men across three distinct eras: 1932, 1937, and 2017. The narrative explores themes of desire, profound loss, and the legacies one generation imparts to the next. The film’s poignant title references a historical mode of social rejection, specifically a black ball cast into a voting urn to deny a young gay man entry into a Granada club, symbolizing exclusion and prejudice.

The film boasts a compelling ensemble cast, featuring a supporting role by the acclaimed Glenn Close. It also marks the screen debut of the beloved Spanish singer-songwriter Guitarricadelafuente, alongside performances by Miguel Bernardeau, Carlos González, Milo Quifes, and Lola Dueñas. Adding further star power, Penélope Cruz makes an extended cameo appearance. The intricate screenplay was co-written by Javier Ambrossi, Javier Calvo, and playwright Alberto Conejero.

“The Black Ball” represents a significant milestone as the inaugural film produced under Suma Content Films, the newly established cinema division of Los Javis’ production company. Additional production support comes from Movistar Plus+, Pedro and Agustín Almodóvar’s esteemed production company El Deseo, and Le Pacte. The film is slated for a theatrical release in Spain on October 2, distributed by Elastica Films, with international sales being managed by Goodfellas.