IMAX Corporation Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Nasdaq Listing; Opens Nasdaq Stock Market
NEW YORK, Jun 10, 2004 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- IMAX Corporation (Nasdaq: IMAX; TSX: IMX) today celebrates the 10th Anniversary of its listing on the Nasdaq Stock Market by presiding over the NASDAQ Market Open. The 10th Anniversary celebration at Nasdaq follows IMAX's most successful opening weekend of a Hollywood event film digitally converted into IMAX's format using IMAX DMR(R) (Digitally Re-mastering) technology. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: The IMAX Experience grossed approximately $2 million from 49 IMAX(R) theatres in North America this past weekend.
"In the ten years since IMAX first listed shares on the NASDAQ Stock Market, the Company has changed the way consumers experience movies. We've transformed the IMAX business by expanding our customer base beyond the institutional market by offering entertainment that is compelling to commercial exhibitors," said IMAX co-Chairmen and co-CEOs Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler. "This year marks the strongest commercial film slate in IMAX's history including IMAX digitally re-mastered releases of the latest Harry Potter and Catwoman, and an IMAX 3D release of The Polar Express. Based on the response from consumers, exhibitors, and Hollywood studios, we are extremely optimistic about opportunities in the commercial marketplace."
Messrs. Gelfond and Wechsler continued, "Nasdaq has been the ideal home for a company like ours, which thrives on innovation and is focused on growth. As we look forward to another ten years, we are confident that we will continue to have success in our efforts to revolutionize the movie-going experience and create a business that delivers strong, sustainable results for our shareholders over the near and long term."
In addition to Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Warner Bros. Pictures will release day and date, or simultaneously to both IMAX(R) and conventional theatres, Catwoman, starring Halle Berry on July 23, 2004, and The Polar Express on November 19, 2004 in the U.S. and many international territories. The Polar Express is the first full-length Hollywood feature film ever to be converted to and released in IMAX(R) 3D. The Academy Award-winning team of Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump, Cast Away) reunite for The Polar Express, an inspiring adventure based on the beloved children's book by Chris Van Allsburg.
The market open ceremony will be available from approximately 9:20 am - 9:30 am via Web cast at http://www.nasdaq.com/reference/marketsite_about.stm .
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 (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(R). The IMAX brand is recognized throughout the world for extraordinary and immersive family entertainment experiences. As of March 31, 2004, there were more than 235 IMAX theatres operating in 34 countries.
IMAX(R), IMAX(R) 3D, IMAX DMR(R) and The IMAX Experience(R) are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information on the Company can be found at http://www.imax.com .
This press release contains forward looking statements that are based on management's assumptions and existing information and involve certain risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Important factors that could affect these statements include the timing of theatre system deliveries, the mix of theatre systems shipped, the timing of the recognition of revenues and expenses on film production and distribution agreements, the performance of films, the viability of new businesses and products, and fluctuations in foreign currency and in the large format and general commercial exhibition market. These factors and other risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 and in the subsequent reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SOURCE IMAX Corporation
Media: Romi Schutzer of IMAX Corporation, New York,
+1-212-821-0144, or rschutzer@imax.com; Entertainment Media: Al Newman of
Newman & Company, Los Angeles, +1-818-784-2130, or asn@newman-co.com;
Analysts: Jennifer Gery of IMAX Corporation, New York, +1-212-821-0144, or
jgery@imax.com; Business Media: Whit Clay of Sloane & Company, New York,
+1-212-446-1864, or wclay@sloanepr.com, for IMAX Corporation
http://www.imax.com