(3rd Person POV)
The room held its collective breath as Herold Green fingered the envelope containing the winner of the Lunar Laurel for Best Director. He cleared his throat, milking the moment for all it was worth.
"And the award goes to... 'Lord of the Rings' directed by Arthur Morningstar!"
The announcement hit like a thunderclap. A beat of silence, then a cacophony of reactions.
"This can't be possible," an elf filmmaker muttered, his face a mask of disbelief.
He wasn't alone. The room buzzed with shocked whispers. Sure, "Lord of the Rings" had been cleaning up in the minor categories, but this? This was different. The main awards were supposed to be above such... upsets.
All eyes turned to Arthur Morningstar - the infamous prince turned filmmaker - as he made his way to the stage. He accepted the silver award, looking almost as surprised as everyone else.
Herold beamed, practically bouncing on his toes. "You're making history, Arthur Morningstar! First demon filmmaker to win a main award at this festival, and your film's sweeping the board!"
Arthur blinked, as if trying to process it all. "Yeah, it's... it's something alright. Honestly, I'm still wrapping my head around the fact that this festival was willing to embrace a film from a demon."
Herold's smile widened. "At this festival, we don't care if it's made by demons, elves, or even orcs. Good cinema is good cinema."
Arthur chuckled, the sound a mix of amusement and lingering disbelief.
In the audience, a sea of sour faces. Filmmakers who'd been so sure of their chances now sat rigid in their seats, a bitter taste in their mouths. The word 'cheated' hung unspoken in the air.
But for the journalists present, it was a feeding frenzy. Pens flew across notepads, cameras flashed. This was history in the making - a demon film shattering records and expectations at the Moonlight Film Festival.
The excitement only grew when "Lord of the Rings" snagged the Celestial Crown for Best Film. It was a clean sweep, unprecedented and undeniable.
Well, almost undeniable. In the back of the room, a cluster of journalists from Titan Pictures-owned papers huddled together, faces grim. They'd been under orders to trash "Lord of the Rings," but this... this made their job significantly harder.
"Rigged festival?" one suggested half-heartedly.
Another sighed. "Maybe we can spin it as a shocking upset that calls the integrity of the whole event into question?"
They knew it was weak, but what choice did they have? Sometimes, the story writes itself, whether you like it or not.
***
The Moonlight Film Festival was a grand spectacle that drew over fifty thousand visitors from across the world to Moon City. Yet, ironically, the majority of the city's three hundred thousand residents barely gave it a second glance. Most were too caught up in their daily grind to spare a thought for the cinematic extravaganza unfolding in their midst.
Still, the festival was a source of pride for the kingdom, and even the busiest locals kept an ear to the ground. They might not have had time to watch the films, but they devoured the newspaper coverage, eager to stay in the loop.
Among the myriad of films mentioned, one title kept popping up: "Lord of the Rings." It wasn't the glowing reviews or critical acclaim that etched this name into the public consciousness, though. No, it was the relentless barrage of negative press that made it unforgettable.
Day after day, the city's major newspapers plastered their front pages with scathing headlines about "Lord of the Rings." The sheer volume and vitriol of the criticism was impossible to ignore. It was as if the papers were waging a personal vendetta against the film.
Ironically, this constant thrashing had the opposite effect of what was likely intended. Instead of burying "Lord of the Rings" in obscurity, it elevated the film to a topic of widespread curiosity and discussion. Even those who had no interest in cinema found themselves wondering about this apparently controversial movie that had riled up the press so thoroughly.
The morning after the Moonlight Film Festival's conclusion, the streets of Moon City buzzed with activity. A young elf, his voice cracking with excitement, darted between pedestrians, waving fresh newspapers.
"Extra! Extra! Demon film dominates Moonlight Film Festival! Sweeps award categories! Get your morning news here!"
An older elf, his curiosity piqued, approached the boy. "What's this about a demon film dominating what now?"
The newsboy grinned, sensing a sale. "All the details are right here, sir! Just one coin for the full story!"
With a sigh and a shake of his head, the elf fished out a coin. "This better be worth it, lad."
"Thank you, sir! Enjoy your read!" The boy pocketed the coin and darted off to his next potential customer.
The elf unfolded the paper, his eyebrows shooting up as he read the bold headline:
"'Lord of the Rings' Conquers Moonlight Film Festival! Demon Film Claims Top Honors, Sparking Controversy!"
As he walked, the elf muttered under his breath, "The festival, rigged? Surely not..."
Around him, other passersby were engrossed in their own copies, their reactions a mix of disbelief and intrigue.
"This calls for an investigation," a dwarf grumbled to his companion.
"Agreed," the other nodded. "The integrity of the festival is at stake."
Not everyone was focused on potential scandal, though. A pair of humans nearby seemed more interested in the film itself.
"I'm curious to see just how bad this 'Lord of the Rings' really is," one mused.
Her friend scoffed. "I heard Love Pictures Entertainment is distributing it. Always knew Kyle Love was in cahoots with demons."
***
(Arthur POV)
And so it begins. I sifted through the stack of newspapers I'd just bought, my eyes skimming the headlines. A handful praised "Lord of the Rings," highlighting its historic win for demon entertainment. But the major papers? They were out for blood.
"'Lord of the Rings': A Stolen Tale?" screamed one headline.
"Film Festival Rigged? Demon Movie's Sweep Raises Eyebrows," declared another.
"Moonlight Festival Loses Credibility with Controversial Win," a third proclaimed.
I tossed the papers aside with a snort. Let them rant and rave. In the end, success speaks louder than any headline. And I knew, deep in my bones, that "Lord of the Rings" would have the last laugh.
As I stuffed the last of my belongings into my travel bag, my mind wandered to the journey ahead. Sure, I could pop back to the Morningstar Kingdom in an instant thanks to my handy portal. But sometimes, the old-fashioned way has its perks.
For one, I needed to maintain appearances. An exiled prince suddenly materializing out of thin air might raise a few too many eyebrows. Plus, the airport would be crawling with reporters and industry folks. A perfect opportunity to gauge reactions, maybe drop a few choice quotes for the press to chew on.
And if I'm being honest? A part of me wanted to savor this moment. To feel the weight of that Lunar Laurel in my bag, to see the sideways glances and whispered conversations as I walked through the terminal. Let them wonder, let them gossip. The story of the demon who conquered the Moonlight Film Festival was just beginning.
With a final glance around the room, I shouldered my bag and headed for the door. Time to face the music - and maybe conduct a little orchestra of my own.