LOS ANGELES, Oct 22, 2002 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ --

Steve Oedekerk (Jimmy Neutron, The Nutty Professor) and O Entertainment Take 3D Animation to a Whole New Level with a Hilarious Holiday Classic Using IMAX 3D Technology

Opening nationally and internationally at IMAX(R) theaters on November 1st 2002, SANTA VS. THE SNOWMAN 3D is the first-ever IMAX 3D animated holiday film. The film will play throughout the holiday season, and is sure to be a holiday classic for many years to come. From the Academy Award(R) nominated team behind the family hit Jimmy Neutron, Santa vs. the Snowman 3D is the hilarious brainchild of Steve Oedekerk (co-creator and producer of Jimmy Neutron, writer of The Nutty Professor, Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls and Patch Adams).

Santa vs. the Snowman 3D is unlike any of the traditional 3D films of yesterday. It combines the unique properties of 3D and digital computer animation with The IMAX Experience(R). The result is breath-taking 3D images projected onto screens up to eight stories tall and 120 feet wide and enhanced by the 12,000 watts of uncompressed digital sound. Distinct from any of the animated films of today, Santa vs. the Snowman 3D was re-framed and animated with CG technology in 3D, captivating the viewer and making them feel as though they are reaching into the screen. 3D glasses are essential to the experience, resulting in a truly revolutionary, immersive adventure that transports kids of all ages from the theatre to Santa's Workshop in the North Pole.

Directed by John A. Davis with animation provided by DNA Productions and Omation, Santa vs. the Snowman, features the celebrity voices of Jonathan Winters, Ben Stein and Victoria Jackson. Turning tradition on its head, Santa vs. the Snowman 3D, tells the heartwarming story of a lonely Snowman who at first is swept away by the magical wonders of Santa's Village, only to ultimately wage war on Santa because he is jealous of all the attention that Santa gets during Christmas time. What ensues is a polar feud of hilarious proportions, where ultimately friendship reigns supreme and audiences are rewarded with a heart-melting holiday film.

Creator and executive producer Steve Oedekerk stated, "Santa vs. the Snowman 3D captures the true holiday spirit, but with a comedic twist that I feel will keep adults as well as children entertained for years to come. Seeing the images in staggering size on the gigantic IMAX screen, in true 3D animation, brings narrative storytelling into a new dimension. We're getting a glimpse of the future here. The audience lives inside the film. It's really exciting, like watching what movies may be 50 years from now, a first step in redefining the experience of movie-going."

Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler, Co-Chairman and Co-CEOs of IMAX Corporation, say, "As IMAX's first-ever 3D animated holiday film, Santa vs. the Snowman 3D marks an exciting new direction for 3D animation technology and IMAX Corporation. This revolutionary approach to 3D animation provides movie-goers with an entirely new and engaging experience, and we are looking forward to future projects with Steve Oedekerk and his award-winning team."

Santa vs. the Snowman 3D was created by Steve Oedekerk; written by John A. Davis; and is produced by Paul Marshal, John A. Davis and Keith Alcorn. Santa vs. the Snowman 3D is directed by John A. Davis and executive produced by Steve Oedekerk. It is distributed by the IMAX Corporation and available to IMAX, IMAX 3D, and IMAX Dome theatres.

About IMAX Corporation

Founded in 1967, IMAX Corporation is one of the world's leading entertainment technology companies. IMAX's businesses include the world's best cinematic presentations together with IMAX(R), IMAX(R) 3D and the development of the highest quality digital production and presentation. IMAX has developed revolutionary technology called IMAX(R) DMR(TM) (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 experiences. As of June 2002, there were more than 225 IMAX theatres operating in 30 countries. More than 700 million people have seen an IMAX presentation since the medium premiered in 1970. IMAX Corporation is a publicly traded company listed on both the Toronto and Nasdaq stock exchanges.

IMAX(R), The IMAX Experience(R) and IMAX(R) DMR(TM) are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information on the Company can be found at www.imax.com.

About Steve Oedekerk and O Entertainment

Steve Oedekerks's multi-faceted comedic career includes producing, directing, writing and acting for feature live action and animated films, television, DVD and video releases, as well as creating his own independent studio O Entertainment. The Oscar(R) nominated Oedekerk has written and directed films that have a combined world box office gross of more than 1 billion dollars. Most recently, he has completed writing Bruce Almighty (starring Jim Carrey) for Universal and is spearheading further expansion of the Jimmy Neutron franchise. Armed with Steve's passion for laughter, state- of-the-art technology and redefining entertainment, O Entertainment brings comedic cutting edge writing, directing and producing to many entertainment outlets, including television, DVD, video, Internet, theme parks, the big screen and the even bigger IMAX screen.

SOURCE IMAX Corporation

CONTACT:
Michael Saltzman or Sharon Eisenberg, +1-310-271-5789,
both of Saltzman Communications, for IMAX
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URL: http://www.imax.com
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