IMAX And MacGillivray Freeman Films Sign Multi-Picture Agreement

Related: IMAX

Imax Corporation and MacGillivray Freeman Films (MFF) today announced an agreement to jointly finance, market and distribute up to four films produced by MFF to be released exclusively to Imax theatres. The deal includes an option for the parties to extend the agreement for an additional four films upon completion of the four co-financed films. The companies' collaboration will also benefit from IMAX's extensive studio relationships in the development of future film productions. Today's agreement ensures Imax exhibitors, particularly IMAX's iconic institutional theatres, will have access to a steady flow of the highest-quality, large-format documentaries over the years to come.

The parties have already begun development on the first film in the collaboration, which will be set in the exotic cluster of Indonesia's 13,000 islands and explore the breathtaking ancient reefs and ocean life of the South Pacific. The second in MacGillivray Freeman's multi-platform One World One Ocean campaign, the film will use inspiring human stories from this unique region to communicate that we are all islanders, no matter where we live on this ocean planet.

Since 2002, the top four highest-grossing films in the giant screen industry have been Imax or MFF productions. The companies' first film collaboration was more than 25 years ago, with Blue Planet, released in 1986. Since then, Imax and MFF have collaborated on many award-winning original, large-format films. The parties' most recent collaboration was To The Arctic, which was co-produced with Warner Bros. Pictures. Released in April of 2012, the film follows the intimate story of a mother polar bear and her two cubs navigating the rugged Arctic wilderness they call home. Since its release, To The Arctic has grossed approximately $13 million to date in Imax theatres.

"The giant-screen industry was built on the success of Imax documentaries and with this agreement, we look forward to working with Imax and their partners to ensure a steady stream of high-quality educational films that our Imax customers want," said Greg and Shaun MacGillivray , Co-Presidents of MacGillivray Freeman Films. "Museums, science centers and aquariums are the backbone for lifelong learning in communities around the world. We will continue to work hand-in-hand with these important institutions to deliver films and other educational programming that fulfill their missions."

"For decades, Imax and MacGillivray Freeman have aligned our collective expertise to create some of the industry's highest-grossing and most acclaimed Imax documentaries which have transformed the way people see and experience their world," said Greg Foster , Imax Chairman and President of Filmed Entertainment. "With today's agreement, this legacy continues and we look forward to delivering films that will inspire movie-goers for generations to come from all over the globe."

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