The production of *City of Stars* was officially on a break. After a grueling month of rehearsals, setbacks, and small victories, the cast and crew finally had time to catch their breath. The equipment was stored away, the set quietly dismantled, and the buzzing studio fell silent—if only for a moment.
Adrian sat in the production office, signing off on reports and schedules, when his phone pinged with dozens of notifications. The moment had come: he was preparing to leave for Japan to attend the international film festival that had taken notice of their work.
Yet not all the messages were congratulatory.
In the days since his announcement of the ambitious film just a month prior, the industry's chatter had grown loud—and not all supportive.
"Too young. Too inexperienced."
"Does he really understand filmmaking?"
"Another amateur trying to jump the queue."
On forums, social media, and even among the whispers in the industry, Adrian's name was met with skepticism and criticism.
One well-known veteran director, whose name carried weight across the Asian film industry, was quoted in an interview: "Directing a film takes years of experience. Jumping straight into such a complex project... it's reckless."
Back in the studio, the tension was palpable. Jom rubbed his forehead as he scrolled through a social media thread filled with harsh comments.
"Man, these guys don't even know us. They think we're some joke," he grumbled.
Ella, Jom's sister, sat nearby, her arms crossed. "It's like they're scared. Like we're stealing their spotlight."
Kai, usually calm, sighed. "It's exhausting. We work so hard, and all they do is criticize."
Adrian, overhearing their frustrations, stayed quiet. He knew the road to greatness was never easy.
---
The day of his flight arrived. Adrian boarded the plane, thoughts swirling between anticipation and doubt. He wasn't just going to collect an award—he was stepping into a world that had been skeptical of him from the start.
Upon landing in Tokyo, he was surprised to be greeted at the airport by a poised woman—the same mysterious figure who had contacted him a month ago. Her presence was both reassuring and enigmatic.
"Welcome back, Adrian," she said with a knowing smile. "We've been following your progress closely. The festival awaits."
As she guided him through the sleek corridors of the airport, Adrian felt the weight of the journey ahead—not just the award, but what it symbolized: a test of his vision, his leadership, and his place in the film world.(End chapter)