Xia Xu has been feeling a little uneasy lately - ever since they called Kuiguang Group last time, hoping to "operate" their film to win the "Golden Horse Foundation Award" but were ruthlessly rejected, they have been feeling a little guilty.

The final list of nominees for the Hong Kong Film Foundation Awards has been released, and the director of one of the films is an old acquaintance of Xia Xu.

The moment Xia Xu saw this movie on the nomination list, he called this old acquaintance and asked him if he had spent any money on the operation.

The answer was totally within Xia Xu's expectations - this old fox called the Kuiguang Group on the day he was listed, hoping to spend money to secure the final award, rather than just a nomination.

Just as Xia Xu expected, this old guy was also ruthlessly rejected by the organizing committee of Kuiguang Group.

Of course... they can't ask these questions themselves and hand the evidence to others for nothing.

However, whether you ask yourself or ask someone else, the effect is the same.

"It's over. The nomination time is too late. The organizing committee may have already made their selection."

Xia Xu looked at the news from his old rival and laughed out loud: "Come on, our film was one of the first to be included in the list. We contacted Kuiguang Group directly on the first day we knew the news, and the answer we got was the same as yours."

"Old Xia, you are already so old, and you still want to compete with me for this award? Do you have any shame?"

Xia Xu was too lazy to respond. "There are only five movies on the list, and they are all familiar names. You can find out if you call them one by one. The organizing committee probably didn't take any money. They are really selecting what they think are the best movies of the year. Think about it, the five movies on the list have very good reputation, box office, and profit performance."

All of them are veterans in the entertainment industry, and have a thorough understanding of the unspoken rules of awards like this in the country. This was the first time they encountered a company that did not follow the "unspoken rules" at all, and they actually found it a little difficult to adapt for a while.

"The resources provided by this award are all real. What does our box office and reputation have to do with the Kuiguang Group? This award seems to be given out every year, and a lot of resources are thrown out... I thought they were going to sell it for a good price."

Think about it, the best actor who wins the award can get a free starring role in a TV series produced by Kuiguang Group...

The production team of the award-winning film will be able to obtain the publicity and promotion resources of Kuiguang Group next time...

The winning directors can even be specially invited to become the filmmakers of Kuiguang Group's films! Even though none of these directors and actors, including Xia Xu, acknowledge the value of this strange organizing committee, they still have to hold their noses and post updates on major social media platforms to thank the organizing committee for its "insight into talent" and Kuiguang Group for its recognition of them for these awards.

As winners, they can't just slap themselves in the face.

Compared with the value of the organizing committee, the money content of these prizes is the real benefit.

"Tomorrow is the award ceremony. I hope I don't get nothing. A consolation prize would be fine... Kuiguang Group's consolation prize is also very generous."

Xia Xu laughed again: "Let alone the consolation prize, even the Golden Mop Prize is not bad from an economic point of view."

It is true that Shelter is a copycat film production company, but their recent original film "Sharknado" series has received extremely high ratings online.

A nonsensical "disaster film", from a small town to a city, from a city to the sea, from the sea to the sky...

Every one of them is so bad it's jaw-dropping.

The negative reviews and ratings are as appalling as ever.

But in the list of sequels that the audience is looking forward to, the "Sharknado" series is prominently listed - the audience really wants to see how bad this pile of junk can get and how far the world view can be expanded.

From an economic perspective, it's not a bad thing to give the Golden Mop Award winner a resource about the shelter company.

"If my guess is correct, "Devil's City Fortress" should be the definite winner. I just don't know if the people from Laiyuefu Group can bring themselves to do so."

Xia Xu glanced at the night view of Jinhai City: "It doesn't matter whether they come or not. I heard that if the winners don't come, Kuiguang Group will directly put the prizes on a second-hand sales platform... Being humiliated is inevitable."

"Why don't they do anything else? Why did they have to mess with the evil people from Kuiguang Group... The key is that their movies are not good, and they have been caught by someone. Otherwise, they could have created a worst award and presented it to the films and TV works of Kuiguang Group."

Given the box office and reputation of the works of the Kuiguang Group, the Yuefu Group would have no place to fight back even if it wanted to.

Giving the worst award to an internationally recognized film?

Or is it giving the worst award to a movie that has basically secured the annual box office champion?

Many people agree that "The Fortress of Demon City" is the worst film of the year; but to say that "The Wandering Blue Planet" is the worst film of the year is just self-humiliation.

Xia Xu thought about it and said seriously: "In fact, I think that if the Kuiguang Group holds this award for a few years, the public may really recognize their value."

In the entire entertainment industry today, there is not a single company like the Kuiguang Group that has an excellent film and television production team, efficient publicity and promotion partners, and independent social software with a huge number of users and the right to evaluate other film and television works.

Perhaps in terms of the accumulation of artists and works, the Kuiguang Group is not as good as Yuefu; perhaps in terms of monthly active users, Leopard Pu is not as good as Weibo... But the Kuiguang Group can integrate them together efficiently, and no one will hinder it.

If others want to hold an award with a more generous prize than the Kuiguang Group, several companies will have to join together to have a chance.

But who would be willing to engage in this completely unprofitable business?

You should know that Kuiguang Group completely excludes its own films from the awards.

Who would be willing to do such a thankless task that simply gives resources away cheaply to outsiders?

"I actually thought so too... Well, how can I put it about Kuiguang Group? It seems like they have everything going for them. Just think about it. We will be criticized by a group of unknown organizing committee members in the future. I feel a little speechless."

Xia Xu didn't really care. Anyway, he didn't approve of other awards in the entertainment industry. "What's there to be afraid of? Isn't there Shang Qianyu as a judge? Isn't there An Zhou as a judge? These two people... at least they can hold up the scene."

A newly-risen first-line star, a director who has returned to an international award for the first time in more than a decade, his status is indeed high enough.

"What you said..."

The two old friends chatted and time passed quickly.

…

The next day, Xia Xu and his filming team all dressed in formal attire, got into the special car that was waiting for them downstairs at the hotel, and drove to the award ceremony.

Xia Xu fastened his seat belt and sighed, "If nothing else, the Kuiguang Group did a really good job in welcoming guests... They provided hotels and special cars for all the nominees."

"Many reports previously said that the level of hospitality provided by Kuiguang Group to guests was among the best of the best. I wondered if it was an exaggeration... but now it seems that it is not an exaggeration at all."

"It was so good that I was scared. I was trying too hard..."

"I'll take a photo and post it on social media, saying that I've arrived in Gimhae City and I'm looking forward to this award. Regardless of whether I win the award or not, I believe in the objectivity and fairness of the organizing committee."

"Hahaha, Sister Wang, you gave in so quickly? Weren't you the one who complained the most when you saw the Kuiguang Group award before?"

"How can it be the same when someone else receives the award as when I receive it?" Sister Liu said stubbornly, "If someone else received the award, of course I would complain. Who knew that I would have the opportunity to receive it today?"

"I have already posted the status, and before posting it, I @ed several members of the Kuiguang Group and the organizing committee, hoping that they can see it and give me more impression points..."

"Okay, you usually look noble, but now you are blinded by money, right?! Don't you feel guilty for saying such things against your will?"

"I can't help it. He gave me too much."

“…”

These directors and actors had a splurge before receiving their awards, without having to pay for the whole thing. If they win the award, they can get a huge amount of resources... Even people with the lowest EQ would more or less praise the "Academy Awards Cornerstone Award" in their updates.

If there is no such basic statement, let alone whether the Kuiguang Group, which is expected to become a giant, will be dissatisfied, what will other big names in the entertainment industry think? Saying a few words of praise will not make you lose a few pounds.

The special car soon arrived at Kuiguang Building.

The already busy street was now crowded with all kinds of vehicles. There were curious passers-by taking photos with their mobile phones, and there were reporters who had already received the news and were waiting there.

If it weren't for the strong security team of the Kuiguang Group, many reporters might even rush forward and stop the car with their bodies at the risk of their lives, just to take a group of photos as soon as possible.

"Wow, what a grand occasion." Xia Xu glanced out the window, "The awards we participated in before didn't get this much attention."

"Normal. Nowadays, anything in the entertainment industry that mentions the words 'Kuiguang Group' will become a hot topic. These self-media outlets will not miss such a good opportunity to attract traffic."

After chatting for a while, the special car slowly drove into the underground parking lot under the escort of the security team.

The latest novel is published first on Liu9shuba!

A few people opened the car door, straightened their tuxedos, and then were led by the staff to the 15th floor of the Kuiguang Building.

As soon as they left the elevator, they were shocked by the splendor before them.

The lights on the top were colorful, making the whole space exude a grand and luxurious atmosphere. The red carpet covered the entire floor, and the reception girls on both sides held flowers in their hands and greeted them with a smile.

High-quality light music is played from the stereo surround speakers...

Even the steps leading into the venue were decorated with rose petals.

Needless to say, the decoration of the entire venue, with all kinds of expensive but not dazzling decorations, fully expresses the word "artistic sense".

Compared with other award ceremonies that only have an autograph board, dozens of balloons, and a red carpet, this one is of a much higher level.

“This, this is really…”

"It's a big deal. Not to mention the various resources used to distribute the awards, just holding the ceremony itself must have cost them a lot of money."

"Perhaps this is the reason why Kuiguang Group is successful? Never save money where it is necessary."

"That doesn't make sense. When have you ever seen Kuiguang Group save money?"

“…It seems to be true.”

Looking at this decoration, many people secretly felt that the Kuiguang Group might really be planning to make some big moves.

This award is definitely an important part of their strategy.

The guest seats included not only stars and directors such as Shang Qianyu, An Zhou and Feng Luo, but also celebrities from all walks of life and important media.

Both Yang Ruoqian and Chang Zhiqing came to the award ceremony.

Other important partners, such as Cheng Fei and officials responsible for anti-fraud promotional videos, also had their own seats.

For some reason, Xia Xu subconsciously adjusted his hair and his expression became solemn.

When entering the venue, the receptionist smiled and reminded: "Hello, Mr. Xia, the entire venue is live broadcast. If it is convenient for you, you can go in now."

Live broadcast...

Xia Xu nodded: "Okay, thank you for letting me know."

After saying that, several people walked into the venue with their chests straight and their backs high in spirits. They came to their seats with perfect smiles on their faces, waiting for other guests to be ready before starting the award ceremony.

Except for the sound of footsteps and other mechanical sounds of instruments working, the entire venue was as quiet as an art venue or library.

…

Sitting in a corner, Chang Zhiqing looked at the silence, the scene of everyone staring intently and facing everything with a smile, and she felt a little creepy in her heart.

Isn't it just an award ceremony for self-entertainment? Is it necessary to not even dare to have any unnecessary expression on your face? She picked up her phone and sent a message to Yang Ruoqian: "What's going on? Why do these people have such expressions?"

Yang Ruoqian: "How would I know what's wrong with them... Now I don't even dare to speak loudly."

Is this what it means when three people make a tiger? When everyone gets serious, even playing house becomes particularly serious?

Chang Zhiqing asked again: "Why did you invite everyone from Gaoyao Group? And that calligrapher... What is the connection between these people and the award ceremony?"

Because you can spend more money to invite these people, and get more appearance fees...

"We should invite more celebrities. Wouldn't that make our awards more valuable?"

Chang Zhiqing added: "I feel like if you put on this show, the Golden Image Foundation Award really has some gold content."

Mr. Yang, who launched a massive financial offensive, said, "Ha!" "That's impossible. These people came here just for the reward and the money. You see, after the award ceremony, the heat of the award will soon pass, and no one will mention it again."

"Really?"

“…”

More than ten minutes later, all the invited guests except Yuefu Group had arrived at the auditorium.

When everyone was too afraid to breathe and their smiles were almost frozen, the host in charge of presenting the awards finally arrived on the stage in her glittering long dress.

The guests who were almost unable to hold back their excitement breathed a sigh of relief.

The award ceremony has finally begun!

At least the expression on my face can change!

Everyone had the same question in their mind - what's wrong with these people around them? They usually don't seem serious, but now they are all so serious?

ps: Haha, I have received a lot of New Year's money in the past few years, it's great! (End of this chapter)