Chapter 599: Chapter 599

The male host couldn’t help but smile as he said, "When the selection began in Berlin last year, someone asked me if the ’New Generation Special Screening’ section would be canceled this year.

Because for two consecutive years, there had been no films from the Berlin Film Festival shortlisted in the ’New Generation Special Screening’ section, with only one or two films being shortlisted before—making the award seem expendable."

"At that time, I couldn’t help but sigh. It seemed as if the golden age of cinema from ten years ago had passed. Ten years ago, there were at least ten films shortlisted for the ’New Generation Special Screening’ section, but in recent years, there’s been almost nothing. What does this tell us?

Does it mean that each new batch of film directors is less outstanding than the last? Or does it mean that the film market is deteriorating, resulting in fewer directors committing to the film industry?"

The male host said powerfully, "Every year, our excellent directors are constantly breaking box office records. The record-high sales of a film during the golden era ten years ago are now merely the standard for excellence ten years later!"

"Directors break the total box office record every year, and with each year, more excellent films are added. The era is progressing, and so is cinema—with people’s spending levels continuously increasing, life is getting better and better."

"Ten years ago, consuming films was a luxury activity, but ten years later, it has become nothing out of the ordinary. This is a time when miracles are more likely to happen, an era even more glorious than the past!"

"Never forget why you started, and always advance courageously. These new generation directors are the fresh blood of the film world, and they are the talents who will support the sky of film festivals in the future!"

"This time, the films shortlisted for the ’New Generation Special Screening’ section include ’Eighteen Years Old Sky’, ’Li Mi’s Creation’, ’Life of Mural’, ’I Am Not a Mental Patient’..."

As the host read off the names of the shortlisted films one by one, highlight reels from these films played on the large screen on stage. Once all six films had been announced, it was then the female host spoke:

"Now, I will announce the winner of the ’New Generation Special Screening’ Crystal Bear Award at the 53rd Berlin Film Festival—"

The host paused, causing the breathing of the nominated cast and crew to catch in their throats, their hearts racing in that instant. Even someone as experienced as He Jinxia felt the tension.

Female host: "Congratulations ’Eighteen Years Old Sky’ for winning the ’New Generation Special Screening’ Crystal Bear Award!"

The male host continued, "Congratulations to ’Eighteen Years Old Sky’! Let us all give applause for this film!"

Duan Yu couldn’t help but jump up from his seat, clenching his fists with force, as the host pronounced the word "eighteen".

The other two male directors also stood up, hugging each other happily and even crying with joy.

Xu Xiuzi and Xi Jing looked on with faces full of surprise and disbelief, their eyes still a little dazed.

Impatient, Xu Xiuzi asked, "Did we win?"

She shook Xi Jing’s arm, excitedly asking again, "Did we win?"

Xi Jing was completely stunned, and it took her several shakes before she realized, "It seems... we did."

While they were still at a loss, He Jinxia had already stood up, smiling at them and saying, "Aren’t you going to go up on stage to accept the award, or do you plan on sitting here all along?"

Both snapped out of it, stood up quickly, and followed Duan Yu onstage.

Along the way, stars gave them a thumbs-up, praising them for doing a great job; the directors all smiled kindly at them. Everyone in the cast and crew felt this moment was incredibly beautiful, as if the happiest moment in life was this one.

Once onstage, Duan Yu received a lovely Crystal Bear and then gave a speech. There was nobody in the crew more suitable to receive the Crystal Bear than him.

On such a grand stage, Duan Yu was very nervous, and his words of thanks were somewhat incoherent.

However, everyone smiled kindly, understanding his feelings. After all, this is one of the highest halls of the film world.

Many directors had been to this hall many times without winning anything, but as a new director, Duan Yu’s first film had won an award here, which was certainly lucky.

Of course, looking at it from another angle, this was also enough to show that Director Duan had a lot of talent.

Duan Yu felt light as a feather, with no recollection of what he had said. When he stepped down from the podium, his footsteps felt like he was walking on clouds, as if he were in a dream.

After several more film awards were announced one after another by the host, Duan Yu finally snapped back to reality and looked at them, "Did I actually win an award?"

The rest of the crew looked at him as if they were looking at an idiot.

Duan Yu chuckled, feeling a bit embarrassed, "I was just too excited to react on time!"

Xu Xiuzi couldn’t help but say, "Director Duan, you’ve already given your acceptance speech a while ago, and you’re just reacting now, your reaction time is way too long."

Duan Yu, "The main thing is I was afraid I was dreaming." For origınal chapters go to NoveIꜰire.net

After thinking about it, he stretched out his hand to pinch his own face, involuntarily hissing in pain — it really hurt!

The others couldn’t help but laugh at his action.

After the pain subsided, Duan Yu just sat there grinning foolishly. He had won an award, he had really won!

He looked down at the lovably clunky Crystal Bear he was holding tightly in his hands, and couldn’t resist bringing it to his lips for a kiss, as if only by doing so could he express the excitement in his heart.

Sitting beside him, He Jinxia didn’t join in the cast’s interaction, but took out her phone to send a message.

She first sent a message to the "Jinxia, Charge Ahead!" group where Aunt Rui and Mrs. He were, followed by a big red envelope, and finally tapped on Sheng Yan’s avatar for a private chat.

He Jinxia: [Cool.jpg]

He Jinxia: [Dance together.jpg]

He Jinxia: [Little sister, you have a bright future ahead. Do you want to hang with me.jpg]

On the other side, Sheng Yan raised an eyebrow, not turning to look at He Jinxia, because he knew that even if he turned around, he might not be able to find her, so he continued messaging her.

Sheng Yan: [So happy?]

He Jinxia: [Well, such a small award wouldn’t matter much to great gods like you [helpless shrug].]

Sheng Yan: [I love every award you win.]

The corners of He Jinxia’s mouth lifted, and she replied—

Sheng Yan: [Here’s a knife [Knife emoji]]

He Jinxia: [What for?]

Sheng Yan: [To see my heart.]

He Jinxia: [...(╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻]

Sheng Yan: [I know you care about me, you definitely wouldn’t have the heart [smug].]

He Jinxia: [...you’re overthinking it]

The two flirted back and forth for a while before He Jinxia got to the topic she was most interested in.

He Jinxia: [If you didn’t win an award in Berlin this time, would you be very disappointed?]

Sheng Yan pondered for a moment: [No.]