Paragon City Film Festival

(Presentation taken from the City of Heroes Collector's DVD Edition installer program.)

In September 2004, we invited the City of Heroes community to participate in our first ever Paragon City Film Festival! Using game footage, animation, live action or whatever they could dream up, our players showed us the game through the eyes of their hero or team. We were taken on flights of daring; showed spectacular battles, heroic rescues and zany antics. Our filmmakers exhibited impressive editing skills and created exciting stories and visuals that made this contest both a joy and a challenge to judge.

Film entries were judged in two categories: Best Action and Best Comedy, with both winners receiving a Sony DVD Handycam Camcorder as their just reward. In addition, they were granted inclusion into this Special DVD edition of City of Heroes and secured a featured 'guest appearance' for their in-game hero in a future issue of the City of Heroes Monthly Comic Book.

In the end, two entries stood out not only for their cinematic excellence, but their ability to embody the heart and soul of the game. Here are the winners of the 1st Annual Paragon City Film Festival:

For Best Action Film - The Liberty League in "The Doom of Doctor Death"

Created by Mike D'Anna

Slickly edited, with a colorful, fast-paced comic book style, "The Liberty League..." keeps you on the edge of your seat. It's a fictional trailer to a City of Heroes movie we'd all love to see.

For Best Comedy Film - "Sometimes the Hero"

Created by Brian Shapiro

In a creative and humorous mixture of live action and game footage, Brian Shapiro, a dentist from PA, perfectly captures the spirit of what City of Heroes means to the everyday working person. Funny, inspiring, and ultimately touching, Sometimes the Hero is a superb ode to the game.

Congratulations to Mide D'Anna and Brian Shapiro for their amazing creations!