NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience Races Past $20 Million Mark

NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience Races Past $20 Million Mark

Original IMAX(R) 3D Film Drives Success for Warner Bros. Pictures, IMAX Corporation, NASCAR, and America Online

LOS ANGELES, CA, Dec. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Warner Bros. Pictures' NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience has achieved a box office milestone, surpassing $20 million in total gross receipts, IMAX Corporation (Nasdaq:IMAX; TSX:IMX) announced today. The high-octane film is the second highest grossing documentary of the year, set box office records for an original IMAX production when it was released in March 2004, and has played in more than 100 IMAX(R) theatres around the world - including engagements in Japan, Australia, and Poland. The movie is the first original Warner Bros. Pictures' IMAX(R) 3D production and has been well received in both commercial and institutional venues, helping to increase awareness of NASCAR (The National Association of Stock Car Racing), as well as lead-sponsor America Online.

"We have been thrilled with the performance of NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience and believe it demonstrates the long-term earning potential of IMAX releases," said Dan Fellman, President, Domestic Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures. "IMAX offers us an attractive platform to release both digitally re-mastered and original IMAX movies, and based on our past success, we're underway on another IMAX 3D production, Denizens of the Deep (working title). We look forward to releasing this and other great films in IMAX's unique format."

"It was a pleasure to work with Warner Bros. Pictures, NASCAR and America Online on this landmark original IMAX production," added Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment. "We're delighted with the results the film has generated - for IMAX and our partners - as well as how it has been received by moviegoers around the world."

"The fact that the film drew crowds in destinations as far away as Melbourne, Australia and Warsaw, Poland is a testament to the broad appeal of NASCAR and the power of The IMAX Experience(R)," said Sarah Nettinga, director, film, television and music entertainment, NASCAR Digital Entertainment. "The success shows why NASCAR values and continues to develop relationships within the entertainment industry. These partnerships introduce our sport to mainstream audiences and, in turn, the projects enjoy the support of NASCAR's 75 million fans."

"Serving as the lead sponsor of NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience dovetailed perfectly with a number of our other sponsorship activities and has helped us drive awareness of the AOL(R) service across a wide range of consumers," commented J.D. Ettore, AOL's Director of National Brand Promotions and Sponsorships. "We have been very pleased with the results of this partnership and we're excited the film continues to attract audiences nearly nine months after its initial release."

Narrated by Kiefer Sutherland and sponsored by America Online, NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience provides an insider's perspective of America's number one spectator sport. Through the magic of IMAX 3D technology, audiences are transported into the driver's seat as they experience the heart-pumping action on the track, in the pit and behind the scenes. The film is being presented on specially designed screens that stretch beyond the audiences' peripheral view, with crystal clear images and up to 14,000 watts of pulsating digital surround sound.

NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience is sponsored by America Online and is distributed exclusively to IMAX Theatres by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and IMAX Corporation. This film has been rated "PG" by the MPAA for "some crash scenes." www.imax.com/racing / AOL(R) Keyword: IMAX NASCAR

About NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience

NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience is directed by Simon Wincer (Lonesome Dove, Free Willy, Phar Lap and the upcoming The Young Black Stallion). James Neihouse, one of the large-format medium's preeminent cinematographers (SPACE STATION 3D, Michael Jordan to the Max, Rolling Stones at the Max, The Dream Is Alive), is the director of photography; Neil Goldberg (producer of FOX's NASCAR coverage) is the executive producer; and IMAX Corporation's Lorne Orleans is the producer, with Doug Hylton of IMAX also producing.

About IMAX Corporation

Founded in 1967, IMAX Corporation is one of the world's leading entertainment technology companies. IMAX's businesses include the creation and delivery of the world's best cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX and IMAX 3D technology, and the development of the highest quality digital production and presentation. IMAX has developed revolutionary technology called IMAX DMR(R) (Digital Re-mastering) that makes it possible for virtually any 35mm film to be transformed into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience. The IMAX brand is recognized throughout the world for extraordinary and immersive family entertainment experiences. As of September 30, 2004, there were more than 235 IMAX theatres operating in 35 countries.

IMAX(R), IMAX(R) 3D, IMAX DMR(R) and The IMAX Experience(R) are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information can be found at www.imax.com.

About America Online, Inc.

America Online, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc. Based in Dulles, Virginia, America Online is the world's leader in interactive services, Web brands, Internet technologies and e-commerce services.


Source: IMAX Corporation

CONTACT: Media: IMAX Corporation, New York, Romi Schutzer,
(212) 821-0144, rschutzer@imax.com; Business Media: Sloane & Company,
New York, Whit Clay, (212) 446-1864, wclay@sloanepr.com; Entertainment
Media: Newman & Company, Los Angeles, Al Newman, (310) 278-1560,
asn@newman-co.com; Media: Warner Bros. Pictures, Los Angeles, Stacy Ivers,
(818) 954-6228, stacy.ivers@warnerbros.com; Analysts: IMAX Corporation,
New York, Cheryl Cramer, (212) 821-0121, ccramer@imax.com


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