This director loves making friends.

Casual acquaintances have had a greater impact than expected.

This was Qin Keqing's reflection after talking with Pierre-Lissent for quite a while.

Pierre Lissent promised Qin Keqing that as long as "A Bittersweet Life" met the minimum requirements of the Cannes Film Festival, he would be able to include the film in the main competition.

Of course, Pierre Lissent didn't specify what the minimum requirements were for the Cannes Film Festival, so it's likely that Cannes has the final say in defining them, and Pierre Lissent has the final say in interpreting them.

Regardless of what the future holds, at least the two had a very congenial conversation, and Pierre-Lissent even gave Qin Keqing his personal phone number and office address.

Qin Keqing estimated that even if "A Bittersweet Life" couldn't get into the main competition, it should have no problem being selected for the Cannes Film Festival's screening section, just like in her previous life.

Don't think the screening section is bad. Most of the films in the screening section were eliminated from the main competition. They were the kind of films that were just a few votes away from being selected, and it would be a pity to eliminate them, so they were put into the screening section.

In addition, some are Hollywood blockbusters or new works by famous directors. They choose this section to avoid the risk of being judged for awards, while at the same time maximizing their international exposure.

Being selected for the screening section means that the film will have its world premiere with a red carpet in the largest screening room of the Cannes Film Festival, enjoying the same level of media attention as films selected for the main competition.

Being selected for the screening section signifies official recognition from Cannes. The concurrently held "Film Market" is the world's largest film trading platform, allowing screened films to directly connect with global distributors, significantly increasing copyright prices and release prospects.

For some films, the screening section, while not competing for major awards like the Palme d'Or, does not represent failure, but rather a strategic choice.

It balances the artistic purity and commercial vitality of film festivals, allowing outstanding works that are unable or unwilling to participate to still stand in the spotlight of the world film scene.

However, even though Pierre Lissent discussed the "importance" of the screening section with Qin Keqing, Qin Keqing still felt that the opportunity should be given to someone else, and he still wanted to "skip" to the main competition section.

Even if she doesn't win an award... a consolation prize would be fine with her, Qin Keqing would never mind.

Before coming to Berlin, Qin Keqing had painstakingly accumulated 10 points, which he used on Pierre Lissent, and they became casual acquaintances.

Now, his available points have become zero.

Actually, he should have had 10 points left.

"Woman Sesame Oil Maker" won the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival. Qin Keqing participated in the filming as an assistant director and will receive 10 points.

Unfortunately, the celebration dinner has already started, but the points haven't been credited to my account yet.

Qin Keqing guessed that it was probably related to not having received the official Golden Bear award yet.

The Golden Bear that Xie Fei received at the awards ceremony was actually a "public version" without any engraving, intended to allow the winners to complete the process of going on stage to receive the award and take photos.

The official trophy will be engraved with the corresponding year, award name, winner, and work title after all the winners have been announced. It will then be officially delivered to the winners, which takes some time.

Anyway, Xie Fei hadn't received the official Golden Bear before this celebratory banquet.

"The system is still too rigid. Since everything is already finalized, why go through any more procedures? Also, can't you have some kind of credit points system for loans? Even paying interest would be fine."

Upon returning to Hong Kong, Qin Keqing immediately went to Win's Entertainment to discuss the release date of "A Sweet Life".

Although the Cannes Film Festival's main competition section requires international premieres in principle, meaning that films can be screened in their country of origin before competing, they cannot be screened in other countries and regions.

However, Pierre Lissent had mentioned to Qin Keqing that very few of the films that won awards in the main competition at the Cannes Film Festival had already been screened; almost all of them had their premieres in Cannes.

A Cannes premiere is actually a potential plus if you want to win an award.

The chances of "A Bittersweet Life" winning an award were already slim, or even being selected for the main competition, so Qin Keqing naturally hoped to get as many "bonus points" as possible.

The people at Win's Entertainment's production department were initially strongly opposed to postponing the film's release.

Just kidding, Win's Entertainment doesn't own its own cinema chain. It usually collaborates with New Century Cinemas and occasionally with Golden Harvest.

"A Bittersweet Life" was scheduled to be released in Xinbao Cinemas in April. If it is withdrawn, even if Xinbao is not a cinema owned by Win's Entertainment and is only a partner, it would still be very passive to withdraw the film.

Xiang Huasheng happened to be at the company as well.

During this period, Xiang Huasheng basically made the decisions on important matters at Yongsheng, while Xiang Huaqiang... listened to his younger brother.

"Why the delay? I need a reason."

Xiang Huasheng pushed up his glasses, his tone remaining largely unchanged, still maintaining a refined and gentle demeanor, and even appearing somewhat shy.

But if you are fooled by his appearance, you will suffer a great loss.

The fact that Win's Entertainment has grown to its current state and is associated with Hong Kong's most popular stars like Stephen Chow and Lau Tak-wah is all thanks to Xiang Huasheng's efforts.

In addition, in 92, after her agent was beaten to death, she was so frightened that she fled to Beijing. Not long after returning to Hong Kong, she received a promise from Xiang Huasheng and signed several film contracts with Win's Entertainment.

Before Qin Keqing went to Berlin, he made a cameo appearance in "Iron Rooster vs. Centipede," directed by Wong Jing, a film specifically made for Li Lianjie.

Or perhaps it was a movie that Li Lianjie acted in specifically for Win's Entertainment.

Qin Keqing felt a little guilty when he suddenly saw Xiang Huasheng.

However, it certainly cannot be revealed on the surface.

"I just got back from Berlin and attended some parties."

Qin Keqing didn't explain too much, as explaining too much would be counterproductive; it was best to let them fill in the blanks themselves.

"So, I wanted to have 'A Bittersweet Life' participate in the Cannes Film Festival in May, which is why I wanted to postpone its release."

"Berlin?"

Xiang Huasheng turned to look at the head of the production department.

"Director Qin was the assistant director of the film 'Woman Sesame Oil Maker,' which won the Golden Bear at this year's Berlin Film Festival. Director Xie Fei of 'Woman Sesame Oil Maker' specially invited him to Berlin."

After hearing the explanation from the head of the production department, Xiang Huasheng showed interest.

Are you confident that "La Dolce Vita" will win an award at Cannes?

Qin Keqing shook his head. "No one can guarantee that. 'A Bittersweet Life' is a commercial film, and the chances of it winning awards are very small. My goal is to be selected for the main competition at Cannes, or at least to be screened in the exhibition section."

"Are you confident?"

Xiang Huasheng's interest grew even stronger.

Qin Keqing shook his head again, "No one can guarantee anything before the results are out. I can only say I'll do my best. Besides, we'll know the results by the end of April at the latest, as Cannes will announce the list of those selected for each unit before the end of April."

Xiang Huasheng didn't say anything immediately. After thinking for a while, he turned to the head of the production department and said, "Apply for two million in funding for 'A Bittersweet Life' and get my signature later."

"Mr. Xiang, 'A Bittersweet Life' is a package project. We only have the copyrights for Hong Kong, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, South Korea, and Little Life. The copyrights for Europe and America are not with us."

The head of production quickly reminded him.

Xiang Huasheng frowned slightly, then quickly changed his words, saying, "You apply for one million later."

Then, he looked at Qin Keqing and said, "I'll approve one million for your activities. My requirements aren't high; I just want 'A Bittersweet Life' to be screened at the Cannes Film Festival."

Before Qin Keqing could say anything, he added, "As long as we can guarantee the screening section, I don't care how much of this million-dollar event budget you spend, and you don't need to report it."

However, if you can't even get into the screening section, you'll have to pay me back that million in full, and you'll have to pay for every single penny you spent during your trip to Cannes out of your own pocket.

Xiang Huasheng had a clear plan: if this film could be screened or enter the main competition section of Cannes, a little publicity would definitely boost its box office in Hong Kong.

The additional copyrights from Taiwan, Southeast Asia, South Korea, and other regions amount to far more than a million Hong Kong dollars.

Regardless of success or failure, he has not lost out.