The male and female hosts engaged in a brief introductory segment on stage before proceeding to the main event.
The male host addressed the audience and the tens of thousands watching online, announcing, "Next is the awards ceremony that audiences worldwide have been most anticipating. But before we present the awards, please allow me to introduce the members of our film festival's jury."
"To ensure fairness and impartiality in judging and awards, the Jiada Film Festival has invited the following jury members: Representing the Republic of America's Bird-Lie-Wu Film Association, a two-time Oscar winner for Best Director, Robin Trick. Representing the Ox-Ox Country Film Association, renowned screenwriter, Black Standing. Representing the Gallic Country Film Association, a three-time winner of Best Director at the Lin-Yin Film Festival, Geno Rudolph. ... Representing the Hans Country Film Association, renowned screenwriter and director, Kenneth Milov. For the 52nd Jiada Film Festival, a total of nine jury members have been invited, each a world-renowned director or screenwriter. The nominated awards will be selected by these nine jury members."
As the male host finished speaking, the venue erupted in enthusiastic applause. The large screen on stage displayed photographs and introductions of the nine jury members. Notably, none of them were from Jiada Country! These nine jury members, with their significant achievements in global cinema, were titans in the film world. Therefore, there would be no bias or animosity towards the twenty nominated films, their actors, or directors. The organizing committee of the Jiada Film Festival had put considerable effort into selecting the jury. The celebrity guests present understood that because Chinese films were nominated, the festival committee had to ensure fairness and avoid any impropriety.
In the global live stream, viewers from various countries reacted with astonishment to the jury members, their comment sections buzzing. No one had expected the Jiada Film Festival to attract these nine world-class figures, true masters of the cinematic arts.
White Elephant Country Netizen: [Wow, wow, wow! The Jiada Film Festival organizers must have spent a fortune to invite these nine masters. With these nine in attendance, there's no way the awards will be rigged. I'm really looking forward to it!]
Cherry Blossom Country Netizen: [With nine masters serving as jury members, the credibility of any award at this year's Jiada Film Festival will far surpass previous years. It can be considered second only to the Oscar night.]
Little Stick Country Netizen: [Are nine old men serving as jury really that exciting? No matter who wins any award, I just know that China will not win. If they do win, these nine old men must have been secretly biased!]
Beautiful Country Netizen: [What the heck, Little Stick. Shut up and watch the broadcast. You've been kicked out of the film festival list, so you have no right to speak, understand?]
[Okay, big brother!]
After replying to the Beautiful Country netizen, the Little Stick Country netizen sheepishly stopped posting comments. Seeing this, netizens from other countries flooded the comment sections with laughter. As for the Little Stick Country's exclusion from the film festival, it was announced by the organizers after Park Guokchang and his entourage were arrested. Furthermore, the organizers explicitly banned the Little Stick Country from participating in the Jiada Film Festival for three years. President Park Guokchang has become the first investor in the history of the Little Stick Country's cinema to be arrested and imprisoned for illegally recording films, setting a precedent for all film festivals.
At this moment, although it was midnight in China, hundreds of millions of viewers were still watching the live broadcast of the Jiada Film Festival when the jury members were announced. Among these hundreds of millions of Chinese viewers, only half were aware of the jury members' backgrounds. Once the rest learned of their credentials through various channels, all those watching the live broadcast felt a mixture of joy and apprehension. The joy stemmed from the fact that the nine jurors would not harbor any ulterior motives based on the origin country of the films. The apprehension arose from the fact that the nominated awards included numerous high-quality films and renowned actors. Could "Black and White Edge" and Gao Fei truly break through and secure nominations? At this moment, apart from the netizens spectating online, all viewers in China were worried about the upcoming awards.
Gao Fei, also watching the live broadcast, felt a twinge of anxiety for the film and his potential nomination after hearing the list of jury members. However, he also understood one thing: securing a nomination would make him and the film the most acclaimed this year.
At the awards ceremony, after announcing the jury members, the host moved on to present the first award: Best Action Design. "Nominated for Best Action Design are 'War 2: Second Blood' from the Republic of America's Bird-Lie-Wu, 'Special Police Online' from Ox-Ox Country, and 'Counterattack Moment' from Great Mao Country." As the host finished speaking, the large screen began showcasing thrilling clips from the three films, filled with intense shootouts and fight scenes that resonated throughout the venue. Following the clips, the audience erupted in applause. On the internet, netizens from the three countries flooded the comment sections, cheering for their respective films. Viewers from China abroad, as well as domestic viewers and those watching on television, all nodded in appreciation. Since "Black and White Edge" was not nominated for this award, the Chinese audience's attention was not particularly high, and they patiently awaited further announcements. Only a handful of fake foreign admirers posted comments of encouragement before quickly disappearing. After the screening of the clips, the segment reached its conclusion. The statuesque female host invited a member of the film festival's organizing committee to the stage to announce the results. "The Jiada Film Festival's Best Action Design award goes to... Bird-Lie-Wu's 'War 2: Second Blood'!" As the voice of the organizing committee leader fell, applause filled the hall. Netizens from the Republic of America erupted in cheers. As the applause subsided, a tracking shot appeared on the large screen, focusing on the director of "War 2: Second Blood," Jock. Director Jock, beaming with excitement, quickly ascended the stage, shook hands with the organizing committee leader, accepted the trophy, and began his acceptance speech. After Director Jock received his award and left the stage, the Best Cinematography award was presented. The subsequent awards were for minor categories, carrying little significance. Unsurprisingly, the films from Bird-Lie-Wu received the most awards. Witnessing several films consecutively winning awards, hundreds of millions of Chinese netizens grew increasingly anxious. After the smaller awards concluded, the main categories finally began. The first was Best Short Film. The male host stepped onto the stage and announced, "Nominated for Best Short Film are the Republic of America's Bird-Lie-Wu's 'Heavy Fire Showdown,' the Gallic Country's 'Bloody Petals,' and the Chinese film 'Black and White Edge,' which marks its first entry and nomination at the film festival!" As the host's voice faded, applause rippled through the audience. On the large screen, promotional shorts for the three films began to play. On the global live-stream channels, millions of Chinese netizens, as if by telepathy, flooded the comment sections with a single phrase: "Black and White Edge!" Any comments from netizens of other countries were instantly submerged. The domestic online live-streaming channels mirrored the overseas platforms. The name "Black and White Edge" was repeatedly spammed by hundreds of millions of netizens. Viewers watching on television also clenched their teeth, murmuring the four words: "Black and White Edge."