What's Happening: January 2005 - June 2005

June 28, 2005: In-Three Files Motion Against IMAX
In-Three, Inc. filed a motion against IMAX Corporation claiming patent right infringment on its Dimensionalization® process. In-Three's Dimensionalization® technology converts 2D films to 3D and was recently introduced at ShoWest in Las Vegas last March. In-Three's lawsuit is a counterclaim to a previous lawsuit filed by IMAX against In-Three's 3D conversion technology. Click here to read the related article.

June 27, 2005: Disney to Release Chicken Little in 3D
Walt Disney Studios and Dolby® Laboratories have collaborated on the latest in 3D technology, Disney Digital 3D™. The new 3D technology will debut with Chicken Little, Disney's first all-CGI animated feature. The film is set for release November 4, 2005. The new digital 3D film format will be available at selected theaters outfitted with Dolby® Digital Cinema systems. Click here to read the related article.

June 23, 2005: IMAX Signs 25th China Deal
IMAX Corporation announced an agreement with Suzhou Science and Cultural Art Center Co., Ltd. to install an IMAX® MPX™ theatre system at an arts, science and commerce center being developed in Suzhou, China. The deal marks a key milestone in IMAX's international growth initiative, as with 25 IMAX® theatres now scheduled to be open in the country by 2008, it makes China IMAX's largest market in the world after the United States. The IMAX theatre in the Suzhou Science and Cultural Art Center is expected to open in December 2007. Click here to read the press release.

June 23, 2005: MFF Wraps Up Wetlands
MacGillivray Freeman Films has completed principal photography and entered the post-production phase for its blues-infused giant screen film about America's wetlands and the Mississippi Delta, WETLANDS (working title). A film crew headed by two-time Oscar®-nominated director/producer Greg MacGillivray recently wrapped production on a five-week shoot in Louisiana and Florida where they filmed alligators, egrets, Cajun natives, a New Orleans blues jam-session, Houmas Indians, and a spectacular simulation of a Class 5 hurricane ripping through the region. Slated for release to IMAX theatres and other large format cinemas in June 2006, Wetlands is produced by MacGillivray Freeman Films in association with Audubon Nature Institute. Click here to read the press release.

June 20, 2005: Audience Flock to See Batman in IMAX
BATMAN BEGINS: THE IMAX EXPERIENCE debuted with record breaking box office results this past weekend. The IMAX release of the film set the record for IMAX's biggest five day opening, with estimated domestic grosses of $3.16 million, as well as the highest grossing opening day for a Hollywood simultaneous release, at approximately $754,000. The next Warner Bros. Pictures release in IMAX's format will be the highly anticipated CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY: THE IMAX EXPERIENCE, directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp, opening domestically on July 15, 2005. Click here to read the press release.

June 17, 2005: IMAX Signs St. Louis Theater Deal
IMAX Corporation and Wehrenberg Theaters, Inc., the oldest family-owned and operated theatre circuit in the country, announced an agreement to install an IMAX® MPX™ theatre system at the top performing multiplex in Missouri. It will be the first commercial IMAX® theatre in St. Louis and is scheduled to open on November 18th for the day-and-date release of HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE: THE IMAX EXPERIENCE. Wehrenberg Theatres will retrofit an existing stadium seating auditorium, the Ronnies 20 Cine megaplex in St. Louis, Missouri. Click here to read the press release.

June 14, 2005: Cameron's Next Dive
Director James Cameron may be delaying his next anticipated 3D film, BATTLE ANGEL to work on another project. Word has it Cameron's Lightstorm Entertainment is also working on another HD 3D film titled Project 880. A plotline has not been confirmed, but speculations have 880 pegged as a water-based drama. Cameron is also developing The Dive, a film to focusing on freediving, the same subject of 2001's OCEAN MEN: EXTREME DIVE which followed freedivers Pipin Ferreras and Umberto Pelizzari. Notably, Cameron's last two HD 3D underwater films were similarly derivative of previously released LF films -- ALIENS OF THE DEEP explored deep sea hydrothermal vents which is also the focus of the film VOLCANOES OF THE DEEP SEA, and GHOSTS OF THE ABYSS focused on the Titanic which was the subject of the film TITANICA. Although The Dive has not been confirmed as a future IMAX/Large Format release, Cameron's last HD 3D underwater films have been IMAX releases. Dive may follow in the same vein. Click here to read the related article.

June 13, 2005: IMAX Signs Theatre Deal in China
IMAX Corporation announced an agreement with Thai Tai Enterprises (Liaoning) Co., Ltd. to install an IMAX® MPX™ theater system at a mall being built in Shenyang, China, one of the largest cities in northeast China. Twenty-four IMAX® theaters are scheduled to open in the People's Republic of China by 2008. The IMAX theater in Shenyang is scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2007. Click here to read the press release.

June 9, 2005: AFM Cinemas/IMAX to Open Theater in Istanbul
IMAX Corporation and AFM Cinemas, Inc., Turkey's largest theatre chain, announced that the exhibitor will open the first IMAX® theatre in Istanbul. An IMAX® MPX™ theatre system will be installed at the AFM Maltepe multiplex later this month, with the IMAX theatre expected to open by early July. AFM Cinemas will retrofit an existing stadium seating auditorium at its eight screen Maltepe multiplex, which offers state-of-the-art amenities and just opened in February of this year. Click here to read the press release.

June 7, 2005: Royalty Attends London Premiere of Mystic India
The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall attended the Royal World Charity Premiere of MYSTIC INDIA: AN INCREDIBLE JOURNEY OF INSPIRATION 2D (U) at the IMAX Cinema of The Science Museum, London. A host of celebrities including Rowan Atkinson, Raghav, Sanjiv Bhasker, Meera Syal, Preeya Kalidas, former High Commissioner for India Dr L.M. Singhvi and a collection of other stars from India joined the premiere in South Kensington. Revealing India’s ancient culture and civilization, intricate architecture, colourful festivals and fascinating people, Mystic India follows an 11-year-old child yogi, Neelkanth, who walked for seven years and 8,000 miles across the length and breadth of this vast mystical land. Click here to read the press release.

May 9, 2005: IMAX/Cinepolis to Open 3 More Theaters in Mexico
IMAX Corporation and Cinepolis have announced an agreement to open three more IMAX® theatres at Cinepolis multiplexes in Mexico. This deal is an expansion of the agreement previously announced in September 2004 for three IMAX theatre systems and brings Cinepolis' total commitment to six IMAX theatres. The first theatre under this new agreement is anticipated to open this quarter at a prominent multiplex in Guadalajara timed to the day-and-date release of Warner Bros. Pictures' highly anticipated summer event film, BATMAN BEGINS: THE IMAX EXPERIENCE. This will be followed by openings in Puebla in 2006 and Mexico City in 2007. The exhibitor's sixth IMAX theatre system will be installed in 2008, with the specific location to be announced. Click here to read the press release.

May 5, 2005: Fighter Pilot Wins LFCA 2005 Best of Festival Film Award
The Large Format Cinema Association (LFCA) selected Stephen Low's FIGHTER PILOT: OPERATION RED FLAG to receive the LFCA 2005 Conference and Film Festival Best Of Festival Film Award. Voted on by all attendees at this year’s conference, the award was bestowed on Bob Kresser of K2 Communications (distributor and executive producer) at the closing dinner and awards ceremony. The award recognizes the best films presented to industry peers and delegates during the annual four-day conference. Distinguished filmmaker Graeme Ferguson, one of the original founders of IMAX Corporation, received the prestigious 7th Annual Kodak Vision Award. Established in 1998, The Kodak Vision Award has been given to a distinguished group of cinematic talents for their unique contributions to the industry. Click here to read the press release.

Mary 5, 2005: IMAX Reports First Quarter 2005 Financial Results
IMAX Corporation reported first quarter 2005 earnings ahead of expectations, and earlier in the week delivered two major strategic initiatives regarding the accelerating growth of its domestic theatre network and the completion of its 2005 film slate. Highlights of their report include:

• Company beats expectations for the March quarter, reporting net earnings of $0.03 per diluted share and a 26% increase in total revenues as the Company installs three times as many theatre systems as in the year-ago quarter.
• Company completes its best nine-month period for signings in eight years, which started with the installation of the first IMAX® MPX™ system last June and continued through the March quarter, when the Company signed twelve theatre systems, double the year-ago number.
• AMC Entertainment, Inc., the second-largest North American exhibitor, yesterday signed an agreement to install IMAX® theatre systems in five domestic multiplexes this year, marking the exhibitor's first-ever deal with IMAX.
• Company's 2005 film slate is complete, with HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE: THE IMAX EXPERIENCE confirmed as the fourth day-and-date Hollywood IMAX DMR® release for the year.
  
  Click here to read the press release.

May 4, 2005: AMC Signs Five Theatre Deal with IMAX
IMAX Corporation and AMC Entertainment Inc., the world's second largest theatre chain with more than 3,500 screens, announced an agreement to install five IMAX® MPX™ theatre systems at top-performing megaplexes in major U.S. markets before the end of the year. The IMAX theatres will be opened at existing megaplexes in the following cities: Kansas City, Missouri; Detroit, Michigan; Phoenix, Arizona; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Omaha, Nebraska. The first two locations are scheduled to open by June 15th, with the third, fourth and fifth scheduled to open in September 2005. Click here to read the press release.

May 2, 2005: Harry Potter 4 to Be Released in IMAX
IMAX Corporation and Warner Bros. Pictures announced that HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE will be simultaneously released to both IMAX® and conventional theatres on November 18, 2005. The film is based on the best-selling J.K. Rowling book and is the fourth installment of the tremendously successful Harry Potter film series. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire will be digitally re-mastered into IMAX's format through the company's revolutionary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology and released to the worldwide IMAX theatre network. Click here to read the press release.

April 19, 2005: New LF Film Takes on Teddy Roosevelt Adventure
Thunder House Pictures and MacGillivray Freeman Films have announced a new co-production and distribution relationship for the production of RIVER OF DOUBT: THEODORE ROOSEVELT'S GREATEST ADVENTURE and THE GREAT BUTTERFLY QUEST. The films were written by acclaimed natural history writer/director Kevin McCarey. River of Doubt tells the story of Roosevelt's perilous 1914 journey with his son Kermit and famed Brazilian naturalist/adventurer Colonel Rondon down the uncharted River of Doubt in Brazil while The Great Butterfly Quest will explore the mysteries of butterfly survival in the mountain world of Peru's Inca ancestors. No date has yet been set for completion of either production. Click here to read the press release.

April 19, 2005: Scaturro to Deliver LFCA 2005 Keynote Address
Pasquale Scaturro will deliver the Keynote Address during the Ninth annual Large Format Cinema Association Conference to take place April 26-29 at the Universal City Hilton and Towers. Scaturro's most recent work is the large format film, MYSTERY OF THE NILE which documents the first complete descent of the the Nile River from source to sea. Under the theme "The Business of Large Format: Strategize and Thrive," the LFCA Conference is an industry forum featuring expert panels on development funding for films, film content considerations, forces shaping the industry, and new ways for theaters to maximize revenue. Click here to read the press release.

April 15, 2005: Dinosaurs of Patagonia 3D Principal Photography Completed
The filming crew for Sky High Entertainment's DINOSAURS OF PATAGONIA (3D) has returned from Argentina wrapping up principal photography for the film. They captured breathtaking stereoscopic footage of Argentina's exotic and unique outbacks as well as images of world-reknown paleontologist Pr Rodolfo Coria in action. Cinematography was led by Large Format vet William Reeve with Marc Fafard directing the film. The film is set for a December 2006 release. Click here to read the press release.

April 13, 2005: IMAX Signs Four Theatre Deal With Largest Exhibitor in Korea
IMAX Corporation and CJ CGV Co., Ltd, the largest commercial exhibitor in Korea, today announced an agreement to install four IMAX® MPX™ theatre systems at multiplexes in Korea in the next two years. Under terms of the agreement, CJ CGV will open new and retrofitted IMAX® theatres at leading multiplexes in and around Seoul and Busan, the two largest cities in the country, with the first two locations scheduled to open in December 2005. The IMAX® MPX™ theatre systems will be installed at multiplexes in the following locations: the Wangshipni area of Seoul; Incheon and Ilsan, suburbs of Seoul; and the Seomyun area of Busan. The two IMAX theatres scheduled to open in December 2005 will be the first to exhibit IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) releases in Korea. Click here to read the press release.

April 8, 2005: IMAX Signs Another Multiplex Theatre Deal in China
IMAX Corporation announced an agreement with Zhengzhou Zhongyue Xiufeng Real Estate Co., Ltd. to install an IMAX® MPX™ theatre system at a multiplex in Zhengzhou, China, a city of two million people approximately 400 miles southwest of Beijing. The multiplex will be part of one of the largest commercial development in the city, called Zhengzhou Xintiandi, which will include entertainment, retail shops, dining and residential units. The IMAX theatre in Zhengzhou is scheduled to open in 2007. Click here to read the press release.

April 5, 2005: IMAX/National Amusements to Open Theatre in Argentina
IMAX Corporation and National Amusements Inc. announced that they have expanded their relationship with a new agreement to install the first IMAX® theatre system in Argentina, at the Showcenter Norte in Buenos Aires. This new deal is in addition to the landmark agreement the companies announced in August 2004, and remains subject to certain final government approvals. The Showcenter Norte IMAX Theatre is expected to open in October 2005. The theatre will be capable of playing both 2D and IMAX® 3D movies, including Hollywood blockbusters that have been digitally re-mastered into IMAX's larger than life film format. Click here to read the press release.

March 22, 2005: Yelmo to Open 2nd IMAX® Theatre in Spain
IMAX Corporation and Yelmo Cineplex will unveil its second IMAX® theatre at the Yelmo Cineplex Plaza Mayor multiplex in Malaga, Spain in late April of this year. The theatre will feature IMAX® MPX™ technology and is the second of three multiplex-based locations. Yelmo Cineplex's first IMAX theatre opened in Oviedo, Spain during June 2004. Click here to read the press release.

March 19, 2005: Religious Objections Arise over LF Science Docus
The conflict between fundamentalism and science has reached the large format world as several IMAX theaters and science museums refuse to show films that mention the Big Bang or the theory of evolution fearing protests from those who believe such theories contradict biblical teachings. Although the number of theaters refusing to show these science films are small (about a dozen or less), the issue has caused frustration within the industry. VOLCANOES OF THE DEEP SEA, a film by the National Science Foundation and Rutgers University, has been one of the films turned down by about a dozen science centers, mostly in the South. Click here to read the related article.

March 17, 2005: Major Hollywood Filmmakers Still Support IMAX® Format
Hollywood filmmakers George Lucas, James Cameron, Robert Zemeckis, Robert Rodriguez and Randall Kleiser each showed their support for the IMAX and 3D formats during the ShoWest conference. During DLP Cinema's unveiling of their prototype 3D product, the five filmmakers introduced a collection of each of their works that used 3D and/or IMAX technology. The presentation looked to promote and increase not only the number of 3D/IMAX films made, but also the number of theaters with 3D/IMAX capabilities. Click here to read the related article.

March 17, 2005: IMAX, Sathyam to Install Theatre Systems in India
IMAX Corporation and Sathyam Cinemas, a leading exhibitor in Chennai, India, announced an agreement to install two IMAX® MPX™ theatre systems at multiplexes in Chennai, a city of more than four million people in southeast India. The agreement supersedes an existing deal with Sathyam for one IMAX® theatre system, which was signed in 2004. The first IMAX theatre is anticipated to open in March 2006 at one of the most heavily trafficked cinemas in the country, and the second in 2008 at a location to be announced. Click here to read the press release.

March 15, 2005: The Future of IMAX DLP
Digital projection may soon be available for IMAX/Large Format films though still hampered by technical issues. According to World Enteractive's interview with DLP Cinema's Doug Darrow, large format digital projection tests have put up fairly good images, but cost efficiency is still a problem. Click here to read the interview.

March 8, 2005: IMAX Signs Two Multiplex Deals in Latin America
IMAX Corporation announced agreements to install two IMAX® theatre systems at multiplex locations in Guatemala City, Guatemala and San Jose, Costa Rica, the first IMAX theatres scheduled to open in each country. The deals are with Circuito Alba and Repretel, leading media and entertainment companies with operations in Guatemala and Costa Rica, respectively. The Guatemalan theatre will be part of a nine-screen multiplex in the developing 225-store Pradera-Concepcion mall, and is anticipated to open by the end of this year. The theatre in San Jose is scheduled to open during 2006, with the specific location to be announced. Click here to read the press release.

March 1, 2005: Batman Begins to be Released as IMAX Film
IMAX Corporation and Warner Bros. Pictures announced that BATMAN BEGINS will be simultaneously released to IMAX® and conventional 35mm theatres on June 17th, 2005. The film, which explores the origins of the Batman legend and the Dark Knight's emergence as a force for good in Gotham, will be digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® with proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology for the IMAX release. Batman Begins is directed by Christopher Nolan, produced by Emma Thomas, Charles Roven and Larry Franco, and stars Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman. Click here to read the press release.

March 1, 2005: La Géode 2005 Film Festival Prize List
La Géode held its 10th International Large Format Film Festival in January, handing out 4 prizes total with FORCES OF NATURE taking home the Grand Prize. The Youth Prize was awarded to ROAR: LIONS OF THE KALAHARI while the Public's Choice Prize went to MYSTIC INDIA. Greg MacGillivray's TOP SPEED received the Kodak Vision Award. Click here for more details.

February, 24, 2005: nWave, PD Announce 2005 Brain Power Agenda
Things are heating up for BRAIN POWER and 2005 promises to be a banner year. Partners HealthCare announced the recent signing of Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, Inc., as presenting sponsor of Brain Power. In addition, Partners announced the worldwide premiere of the film in the late 2005. Brain Power will follow several Tour riders as they cope with pain in the high Alps, experience a "fight-or-flight" situation on a steep downhill switchback, struggle to maintain mental focus and wage a constant mental war between extreme exhaustion and their motivation to reach the finish line in Paris. Click here to read the press release.

February 21, 2005: nWave Reaches Licensing Agreement for Wild Safari 3D
nWave Pictures Distribution announced it has reached an agreement with 13 members of the "3D Film Interest Group" (3DFIG) for the licensing of its upcoming 3D release, WILD SAFARI 3D: A SOUTH AFRICAN ADVENTURE. This is a momentous agreement as it marks the first time 3DFIG has successfully concluded a group license of a film. Wild Safari 3D will open in a number of theaters beginning in April 2005 and will have its industry premiere at the 2005 LFCA Conference in Los Angeles at the end of April. Click here for more details.

February 15, 2005: Ferguson to Receive Kodak Vision Award at LFCA
The Large Format Cinema Association (LFCA) has announced that distinguished filmmaker Graeme Ferguson, one of the original founders of IMAX Corporation, has been selected to receive the prestigious 7th Annual Kodak Vision Award. The LFCA and Kodak will present the honor to Mr. Ferguson, during the 2005 LFCA Conference and Film Festival taking place April 27th-29th in Universal City, California. Click here to read the press release.

February 14, 2005: IMAX Plans Release of 3D Live Action Films
Screen Daily reports IMAX Corp. is in discussions with Hollywood Studios to release 3D live action film features within a year. IMAX is currently developing technology to convert 2D live action films into 3D features. IMAX had most recently converted the feature animation THE POLAR EXPRESS into IMAX 3D using its DMR (Digital Re-mastering) technology to box office success.

February 9, 2005: IMAX Signs Two Theatre Deals in China
IMAX Corporation announced agreements to install two IMAX® theatre systems at institutional locations in the People's Republic of China. The installations will be at the CAAC Museum in Beijing and the Guangdong Science Center, developed by The People's Government of Guangdong City. Both locations are scheduled to open in 2007. Click here to read the press release.

February 8, 2005: WGBH sues IMAX over 'Sharks'
WGBH Education Foundation has filed a lawsuit against IMAX Corporation over a distribution agreement for the the upcoming film COCOS: ISLAND OF THE SHARKS. WGBH claims it has not been able to recoup its $2 million investment in the large format film and IMAX has refused to make payments it owes the nonprofit organization. Click here to read the related article.

February 2, 2005: IMAX Signs Theatre Deal in Netherlands
IMAX Corporation and Pathe Netherlands, the leading commercial exhibitor in The Netherlands, announced an agreement to install an IMAX® MPX™ theatre system in Amsterdam at the biggest multiplex in the country. It will be the first IMAX® theatre in Amsterdam, the first to showcase Hollywood movies in IMAX's format in The Netherlands, and is expected to open Spring 2005. Pathe Netherlands will retrofit an existing stadium seating auditorium at the Pathe Arena multiplex in Amsterdam. Click here to read the press release.

January 18, 2005: IMAX Signs Multiple Theatre Deal in Middle East
IMAX Corporation announced that it has signed an agreement with Kuwait National Cinema Company (KNCC), the largest commercial exhibitor in Kuwait, to install two IMAX MPX™ theatre systems at multiplexes in Kuwait City. The first, which is anticipated to open in late 2005 and be a retrofit of an existing stadium seating auditorium, will be one of the first multiplex-based IMAX theatres in the Middle East; the second is scheduled to debut by 2007. The agreement brings the total number of IMAX theatres scheduled to be open in the Middle East by 2007 to nine, including new multiplex locations opening in Dubai, UAE and Doha, Qatar. Click here to read the press release.

January 13, 2005: IMAX Signs Three Theatre Deal in China
IMAX Corporation announced its second multi-theatre deal in China in less than two weeks -- an agreement with the Chongqing Land Property Group, an institutional entity of the Chongqing municipal government of the People's Republic of China. The agreement is for three IMAX® theatres to open at locations in Chongqing, a municipality of more than 32 million people and the commercial capital of southwest China. Under terms of the deal, which is subject to standard formal governmental approval, an IMAX® MPX™ theatre system will be installed at the Chongqing Movie City multiplex. IMAX theatre systems will also be installed at the Children's Palace and Chongqing Science and Technology Museum. This three-system deal, combined with the six-system deal with Lark International Media announced on January 5th, brings the total number of IMAX theatres scheduled to be open in China by 2008 to twenty-two. Click here to read the press release.

January 11, 2005: Desert IMAX Theatre Attendance Up 61% in 2004
The Desert IMAX Theatre in Cathedral City is continuing its dramatic turnaround over the last few years by posting a 61 percent in attendance for 2004 over last year. The total number of people attending movies at the Desert IMAX Theatre was 126,600, marking the first time the theatre was able to break the 100,000 mark since opening. The Desert IMAX Theatre is currently playing the IMAX DMR versions of THE POLAR EXPRESS in 3D and the IMAX film FIGHTER PILOT: OPERATION RED FLAG. Coming out in March will be a full length IMAX version of the animated feature ROBOTS and in May, Star Wars Episode 3 is expected to come out in IMAX format. Click here to read the press release.

January 5, 2005: Cameron to Film Battle Angel in 3D
James Cameron's latest directorial venture is the 3D sci-fi feature film BATTLE ANGEL. The film focuses on a cyborg of the distant future and is based upon the Japanese manga series Battle Angel Alita. Cameron will use the same 3D technology and cameras used in his previous large format films GHOSTS OF THE ABYSS and ALIENS OF THE DEEP. Click here to read a related article.

January 5, 2005: IMAX Signs Six Theatre Deal with Lark International Multimedia
IMAX Corporation and Lark International Multimedia announced an agreement to install six IMAX® MPX™ theatre systems at multiplexes in The People's Republic of China in the next four years. Under the agreement, new and retrofitted IMAX® theatres are scheduled to open in prominent multiplex locations in major urban centers through 2008, with specific locations to be announced. Click here to read the press release.

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