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

The moment Lin Bufan won the Golden Bear Award again, it was almost simultaneously broadcast online in China.

"Director Lin is awesome for not saying anything!"

"An Oscar for Best Director, the Golden Lion and Golden Bear—one of the three major European awards—I'm asking you, who else?"

"With just the Palme d'Or missing, Director Lin will have won all three major European awards."

"Speaking of which, Director Lin wins so many awards abroad, why doesn't he get any awards in China?"

"Hey buddy upstairs, those who know, know. They're a bunch of old guys. If you don't go along with them, do you think they'll give you the award?"

"It's all about seniority. Director Lin is too young, so he can't win awards."

Do you think Director Lin cares about the three major Chinese film awards? He's never even cared about the Golden Horse Award.

"It's said that Director Lin has joined the Hong Kong International Film Festival Association and become its vice chairman. Do you think Director Lin wants to create our own international film festival?"

"It's hard to say. It could just be a symbol of reputation, or it could be..."

……

Lin Bufan could ignore the news on the internet, but he couldn't ignore the call from Han Sanping.

"Hey, Mr. Han!"

Lin Bufan glanced at the caller ID and answered the phone.

"Congratulations on winning the Golden Bear Award..." Han Sanping congratulated Lin Bufan over the phone.

"Thanks, Chairman Han!"

Lin Bufan continued, then said, "Chairman Han, calling me so early, there must be something you need!"

It's 9 p.m. in Berlin now, but that's 4 a.m. in China. He didn't believe Han Sanping hadn't slept to watch the awards ceremony last night.

"Now that the awards ceremony is over, are you going back to China first or going to the Oscars?" Han Sanping hesitated for a moment before asking Lin Bufan over the phone.

It's the 18th now, and the Oscars ceremony is on the 24th. Lin Bufan's "Lust, Caution" has been nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film award at this year's Oscars.

"I'll go to North Carolina in the United States first."

There are only a few days left. If he goes back to the mainland first, there won't be any problems.

The Hunger Games crew is currently filming in North Carolina, and Lin Bufan happens to have some time to go and visit the set.

Then, he will go to Canaan to visit Yang Mi on set, as "Final Destination 2" was filmed in Canaan.

"that……"

Han Sanping hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

"Chairman Han, this isn't like you at all!"

Lin Bufan chuckled softly.

He had never seen Han Sanping like this before, in all his dealings with him.

"Bufan, do you have some kind of conflict with Jinji and Baihua?" Han Sanping asked after hesitating for a moment.

"contradiction?"

Lin Bufan shook his head slightly: "No!"

Indeed, whether it was the Golden Rooster Awards or the Hundred Flowers Awards, although he did not participate, he did not have any conflict with the Film Association.

He simply didn't want to carry someone's sedan chair.

"That's good!"

Han Sanping breathed a sigh of relief, then said, "Director Tong just called me and asked me to talk to you. The Film Association will be holding elections this December, and if you're willing, I can nominate you as the vice chairman of the Film Association."

Just now, Han Sanping was also worried that if Lin Bufan had a conflict with the Film Association, it would be difficult for him to persuade Lin Bufan.

"Bufan, I know your personality!"

Han Sanping continued, "Perhaps there's some seniority-based hierarchy within the Film Association, but you need to understand that as long as you develop your career in China, you'll inevitably have to deal with these people..."

"A great man once said something that I'm now passing on to you: the more friends you make, the fewer enemies you'll naturally have."

"Alright, think it over carefully, and get back to me when you've made up your mind."

After saying that, Han Sanping hung up the phone.

"Film Association!"

After hanging up the phone, Lin Bufan's gaze became somewhat profound.

As Han Sanping just said, as long as you develop in the mainland, you can't avoid dealing with these people; this is a problem for the entire industry.

Unless, he sets his sights on things abroad.

But that's impossible.

Since it's unavoidable, the best option is to join in and achieve a high position.

The vice chairman of the Film Association already holds a high position. If it weren't for his young age, based on his achievements, he would be qualified to be the chairman of the Film Association as well.

.........

"Director Lin, let me toast you!"

Inside the private room, Wang Xiaoshuai raised his glass and looked at Lin Bufan.

"Mr. Liang, congratulations on winning the Berlin Film Festival Best Actor award!" Wang Xiaoshuai said, raising his glass to Liang Jiahui again.

The three major European film awards are second only to the Oscars in terms of prestige in the current film industry.

"Thanks!"

Liang Jiahui raised his glass and drank with Wang Xiaoshuai.

"Oh right, Lao Liang, you're coming with me tomorrow!" Lin Bufan suddenly remembered and turned to look at Liang Jiahui.

The first Pirates of the Caribbean movie was almost ready to start filming, and Leung Ka-fai was about to join the crew.

"Thank you very much, Director Lin!"

Liang Jiahui looked at Lin Bufan and smiled.

"Director Lin, it's been a long time!"

Just then, Zhang Jiayi approached Lin Bufan with a wine glass in his hand.

Looking at Lin Bufan's youthful face, Zhang Jiayi couldn't help but sigh, remembering that their first collaboration was on "Love is Not Blind".

At that time, Lin Bufan had finished filming "Manchester by the Sea," but he had not yet won an award.

When filming "Love is Not Blind," Lin Bufan was still an unknown "small" director in the industry, barely deserving the title.

No one expected that after the movie was released, Lin Bufan's career would take off.

The box office success of "Love is Not Blind" propelled him into the ranks of directors with hundreds of millions in revenue. Subsequently, "Manchester by the Sea" won the Academy Award for Best Director, further solidifying Lin Bufan's status in the industry.

Now, with the two Chinese commercial films "Love is Not Blind" and "Flying Swords of Dragon Gate," he has solidified his status as a top commercial director.

In addition to box office success, his three art-house films, "Manchester by the Sea," "Lust, Caution," and "Black Coal, Thin Ice," also earned him three major awards.

Based on these three films alone, Lin Bufan can be considered one of the top directors in China.

Not to mention the movie "2012", which grossed $10 billion worldwide. He is one of the world's top directors, not only in China but also globally.

"Teacher Zhang, it's been a long time!"

Lin Bufan looked at Zhang Jiayi and raised his glass.

"Director Lin, you can just call me Lao Zhang..."

Zhang Jiayi hurriedly spoke up. He could accept being called Teacher Zhang by others, but he didn't have the confidence or the right to be called Teacher Zhang by Lin Bufan.

If word gets out, people will say that Zhang Jiayi is being inconsiderate.