Chapter 66: The Main Event After the Film Festival (Seeking Follow-up Reads)

"In fact, I am still a student who has just started university. I want to thank my school, the Beijing Film Academy of China. Without the school lending us equipment, I don't think our production budget would have been enough.

Likewise, I thank Jiang Qinqin, Duan Long, Sun Honglei, and the other actors for their brilliant performances!

There are many people who have helped me along this journey; I sincerely thank them. Thank you!"

After Wu Yuchen finished speaking, he bowed slightly, raised the medal in his hand to show it off, revealed a high-spirited smile, and walked off the stage amidst the applause.

Returning to his seat, Jiang Qinqin's little face was flushed with excitement. After Wu Yuchen handed the medal to her, she held it in her palms and kept looking at it, as if she wanted to memorize every line of the little golden bear on it.

The short film category was actually just an appetizer for the awards ceremony; the real main event was the main competition category that followed.

The Best Actor award was taken by Sean Penn, the lead of *Dead Man Walking*. Next, just as in Wu Yuchen's memory, the Best Director award was taken by the mainland crew's *Sun Has Ears*, and as for the Jin Xiong for Best Film, it was naturally Ang Lee's *Sense and Sensibility*.

The Chinese film crews truly became the big winners of this year. With the Jin Xiong and a Silver Bear in the main competition, plus Wu Yuchen's Jin Xiong for short film, it could be said that half the limelight of this year's Berlin Film Festival was stolen by Chinese directors.

That evening, at the celebratory reception held by the film festival, the Chinese people all gathered together, including Ann Hui and Joan Chen, who were serving as jurors.

This time, everyone's attitude toward Wu Yuchen was even better. After all, winning an award and not winning one are truly two different things.

Ann Hui and Ang Lee even asked Wu Yuchen if he had any intention of developing outside of the mainland; they could provide some help.

Wu Yuchen thought of Huang Bo's words again: after becoming famous, everyone around you is a good person. Although he only won a short film award, the potential he displayed was already enough for everyone to think highly of him.

Wu Yuchen didn't refuse outright but said that he was only a freshman and still needed to learn. Once he had achieved something in his studies, he would go out to gain some experience when the opportunity arose.

Ang Lee, Ann Hui, and the others all smiled and left Wu Yuchen with contact information like business cards.

Although the Berlin Film Festival had closed, for the films participating in the awards ceremony, it wasn't the end. The main event, no less important than the awards, was still to come in the following days.

The next day, Wu Yuchen sat opposite a white middle-aged man in a coffee shop.

"Congratulations, Wu! I knew *Bus 44* could do it; it's excellent!"

"Thank you, Mr. Havitz."

"Wu, I think you also know my purpose. Name a price; I want it."

"Mr. Havitz, what price are you willing to offer for it?"

Havitz clearly had a plan ready: "80,000 US dollars, for global television and theatrical screening rights."

This price was directly double what it was before the awards ceremony. Wu Yuchen secretly thought that awards could indeed be directly exchanged for real money.

Wu Yuchen thought for a moment and said:

"Mr. Havitz, do you know? During the screening of *Bus 44*, I communicated with audiences from many countries—European, American, Asian, and even Australian. They told me that incidents like this involving bus bandits and collective silence actually happen from time to time in their local areas, and some have even experienced it personally. True acts of courage are only a minority."

Havitz didn't speak, waiting for Wu Yuchen's follow-up.

"I think you should understand what this means. My *Bus 44* is very international. Taken to any region in the world, it will make people feel a sense of immersion because it could very likely be happening around you at any moment!"

Clearly, Wu Yuchen's meaning was that his short film had a broad audience, incomparable to other subjects, so if you want it, you have to pay more.

"OK, Wu, then please state your expected price," Havitz said, spreading his hands.

"150,000 US dollars."

"Oh no, no, no, this is clearly an impossible price!" Havitz reacted intensely.

Wu Yuchen calmly stirred the coffee in his cup with a spoon and said:

"Relax, Mr. Havitz. This price is very reasonable. The gimmick of the Berlin Jin Xiong for Best Short Film is worth 100,000 in publicity fees alone. And this is television and theatrical channels combined; I know your revenue channels are very broad."

In Europe and America, short films can not only be sold to television stations for broadcast revenue, but these film merchants also compile short films into collections to be shown in independent cinemas.

Don't think that no one watches them. The head of an international short film company once introduced that the box office performance of short film collections is quite outstanding, achieving millions of dollars in box office in America, ranking as high as 27th in independent cinema box office. And this is just the box office revenue in America.

"Hey! Wu, I admit that *Bus 44* is a very excellent short film, but we won't pay 150,000 US dollars for a short film; that's too high!

I'll give you 100,000 at most; this is already the highest price I've ever offered for a short film!" Havitz shouted.

Wu Yuchen would be a fool to believe his nonsense, but he also knew that this was an era where channels were king, and channel merchants were the easiest industry to make money in.

After some bargaining, the two sides settled on a price of 120,000 US dollars and sold the global television and theatrical screening rights for *Bus 44*.

To be honest, this price already exceeded Wu Yuchen's expectations before he came.

After the two settled the deal, Havitz smiled at Wu Yuchen and said:

"Wu, you are really different from many Chinese people I've dealt with. You are very confident and understand the European and American world much better."

Wu Yuchen curled his lips: "Perhaps it's because I'm younger; young people are always confident, aren't they?"

"Hahaha!"

After finishing a cup of coffee, Wu Yuchen asked casually:

"Havitz, are you interested in the adaptation rights for *Bus 44*?"

Upon hearing this, Havitz revealed a smile and asked back: "Oh? Hasn't anyone approached you to discuss the adaptation rights yet?"

Wu Yuchen remained calm and just smiled: "Yes, but I want to see if there are more suitable buyers."

Havitz shook his head: "Wu, I'm sorry, our company only handles short film business. Regarding adaptation rights, I don't think we are interested."

"That's really a pity."

Wu Yuchen sighed and then asked:

"If you look at it from your perspective, how much are the adaptation rights for *Bus 44* worth?"

Havitz narrowed his eyes, thinking that since he couldn't get the adaptation rights anyway, he might as well tell the truth to befriend this young director.

"Wu, I can't judge the specific price. But personally, I think if *Bus 44* changed its background to the American West and its style to a cult film, I think a portion of the audience would be very interested."

Upon hearing this, Wu Yuchen nodded and then revealed a sincere smile: "Havitz, thank you for your suggestion!" ===== CHAPTER 67 =====