The entertainment empire began with Liu Yifei's premarital pregnancy.

A total of 26 films were selected for the 58th Berlin International Film Festival.

Eight American films were nominated, five German films were nominated, and from Asia, the Chinese films nominated included Lin Bufan's "Black Coal, Thin Ice" and Wang Xiaoshuai's "In Love We Trust," the Hong Kong film Du Qifeng's "Sparrow," the Japanese film Yamada Yoji's "Mother," the South Korean film Hong Sang-soo's "Night and Day," and the Iranian film Majid Majiddi's "Song of the Sparrow."

There are currently five films that are considered frontrunners for the award, including Paul Walker's "There Will Be Blood," which has already received eight Oscar nominations and is widely regarded by the media as the top seed for the Golden Bear.

Secondly, there's Errol's "Standard Procedure," a documentary about prisoner abuse. It was also the first documentary in Berlin's history to be shortlisted for the main competition, generating a huge amount of buzz.

Michael's "Carefree" is highly regarded for its lead actor's performance, and Majid's "The Sparrow's Song" is a film about children and family, a subject favored by Berlin.

Then there's Lin Bufan's "Black Coal, Thin Ice," which has been generating a lot of buzz because it was directed by Lin Bufan, a Golden Lion winner and the youngest Oscar-winning director.

"Boss, Director Wang Xiaoshuai is here."

Just then, Zhang Tianai came over to report to Lin Bufan.

"Please come in!"

Lin Bufan nodded slightly.

"Director Lin, hello!"

When Wang Xiaoshuai saw Lin Bufan, he quickened his pace.

No domestic director doesn't envy Lin Bufan, and of course, they admire him even more.

If someone is only slightly ahead of you, you might feel jealous of them because you think that with a little more effort, you can catch up.

However, if you are too far ahead, and others can only look up to you, they will admire you and regard you as an idol.

For domestic directors, Lin Bufan is not only capable of making art films and winning the three major European film awards, but also of winning the Academy Award for Best Director.

Even in the realm of commercial films, let alone domestic box office figures, the global box office success of "2012" (which grossed $10 billion) has made all directors daunting.

This is no longer a matter of jealousy or not; it's about a true god.

"We haven't congratulated Director Wong on the nomination of 'In Love We Trust' yet!"

Everyone carried the sedan chair, and Lin Bufan looked at Wang Xiaoshuai and congratulated him.

This was the first time he had met Wang Xiaoshuai, but he had gone to see Wang Xiaoshuai's film "Shanghai Dreams" with Yang Mi. It was after watching this film that he learned that Liu Yifei was pregnant.

"Wishing Director Lin all the best in winning the Golden Bear Award."

Wang Xiaoshuai's heartfelt blessings.

Although "In Love We Trust" was shortlisted for the main competition, he had no confidence at all in winning the Golden Bear.

Leaving aside other award favorites, Lin Bufan's "Black Coal, Thin Ice" alone surpasses his own "In Love We Trust".

After exchanging pleasantries, Wang Xiaoshuai took his leave.

"Boss, this Wang Xiaoshuai seems to be more than just here to chat." After Wang Xiaoshuai left, Bai Bing looked at Lin Bufan.

"He certainly didn't come to chat with me."

Lin Bufan shook his head slightly. He had a high status in the industry, but it was far from being so high that people would bow down to him.

Wang Xiaoshuai came over just now, and his words were actually meant to inquire about the Hong Kong International Film Festival.

There are no secrets in this world.

Furthermore, both Lin Bufan and Shi Nansheng have joined the Hong Kong International Film Festival Association as vice chairmen of the board of directors. It's obvious to everyone that Lin Bufan has his own ideas about this.

However, since no specific information has been released yet, everyone is just speculating at the moment.

Wang Xiaoshuai's purpose was the same.

He is indeed a very famous art-house film director in mainland China, but he has never actually won any major awards.

Clearly, he has his sights set on the Hong Kong International Film Festival.

Unfortunately, Lin Bufan could only say that he was blinded by his own desires. In his mind, the future of the Hong Kong International Film Festival was comparable to something like Cannes.

The selection of the final winner, while not entirely fair, at least appears fair to everyone on the surface.

Before we knew it, it was evening.

Inside the room, Liang Jiahui and Gui Lunmei were both a little nervous.

The three major European awards all share a common unspoken rule: if you don't receive a notification from the organizing committee the day before the awards ceremony, it means you won't receive any awards.

Conversely, as long as you receive a call from the organizing committee asking you to stay and attend tomorrow's awards ceremony, you are guaranteed to receive a prize.

"Won't something go wrong...?"

Gui Lunmei glanced down at her watch with a hint of unease.

It's already 6:30 pm and I still haven't received a call. Is "Black Coal, Thin Ice" going to be a runner-up this time?

Compared to the uneasy Gwei Lun-mei, Leung Ka-fai remained very calm.

As the male lead in the film "Black Coal, Thin Ice," he was well aware of the film's quality. He wouldn't dare say it would win the Golden Bear, but he was certain it would receive an award.

"rest assured!"

Seeing Bai Bing and Zhang Tianai's somewhat anxious expressions, Lin Bufan calmly patted their hands.

He wasn't sure if "Black Coal, Thin Ice" would win the grand prize, the Golden Bear.

However, he was certain that "Black Coal, Thin Ice" would win an award.

Just as Lin Bufan finished speaking, a phone rang.

"Feed?"

Lin Bufan picked up the landline phone next to him.

This room was provided by the organizing committee, so if a phone call comes in, it will definitely be made via landline.

"Hello, I am a member of the organizing committee of the 58th Berlin International Film Festival. I cordially invite you to attend the festival's awards ceremony tomorrow..."

"OK!"

After hanging up the phone, Lin Bufan smiled.

……

After a long night of hard work, Lin Bufan woke up feeling refreshed the next day.

Bai Bing and Zhang Tianai were still fast asleep, their brows furrowing from time to time, showing how tired they were from last night.

"System, check-in!"

[Ding! Congratulations, host! Daily check-in successful. You have received the following rewards: 1 million US dollars, 100 points, and 100 Energy Pill.]

As usual, Lin Bufan took out the prepared box, put away the Energy Pill, and placed it into the dimensional space.

[Ding! Congratulations, host! Weekly check-in successful. You have received the following rewards: $500 million, 500 points, and a villa in the suburbs of London.]

"A villa in the suburbs of London..."

Lin Bufan looked at the certificate in his hand; the range of rewards was simply too vast.

Last week's weekly sign-in reward was a villa in Hangzhou, China; this time it's a villa in the suburbs of London.

Lin Bufan shook his head slightly, not paying much attention, and casually put the document into the dimensional space.