DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Feb 13, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ --

The First Ever 3D Motorsports Film Starts Production February 14th Warner Bros. Pictures and IMAX to Distribute Worldwide in Spring 2004

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) and IMAX Corporation (Nasdaq: IMAX; TSE: IMX), today announced that production on NASCAR: The IMAX Experience 3D will begin tomorrow to coincide with the 45th Daytona 500. The groundbreaking IMAX(R) 3D film, set against America's most popular spectator sport, will be distributed exclusively to IMAX(R) theatres by Warner Bros. Pictures and IMAX in Spring 2004 and marks Warner Bros.' first foray into the IMAX arena.

Created under the auspices of NASCAR; NASCAR Digital Entertainment (NDE); and IMAX Corporation, NASCAR: The IMAX Experience 3D will have IMAX moviegoers and NASCAR fans on the edges of their seats as they experience speeds of over 200 MPH. The heart-pounding thrills of NASCAR will be captured through IMAX 3D technology and brought to life on screens up to eight stories tall, with 12,000 watts of pure digital surround sound.

"The name of this film, NASCAR: The IMAX Experience 3D, says it all," said Paul Brooks, vice president of broadcasting, NASCAR. "People start to understand the magic of our sport when they attend their first NASCAR race in person where the intense drama, sound, emotion, thrills and excitement of NASCAR can be experienced firsthand on our incredible real-life stage. This film will allow us to immerse an audience in the NASCAR experience at IMAX theatres worldwide and attract new fans to the sport, while bringing tremendous exposure and value to our drivers, teams, tracks, sponsors and other partners."

"We are very excited to be working with Warner Bros. and NASCAR in their first venture with IMAX. Through the magic of IMAX 3D, this unique film will expand the movie-goers experience, knowledge and understanding of the high- speed world of NASCAR racing like never before," said Greg Foster, president of filmed entertainment, IMAX Corporation. "We are confident that this event 3D film, powered by three world-class entertainment brands, will bring a whole new audience to the worldwide IMAX theatre network."

"This is Warner Bros.' first involvement with an IMAX film," said Dan Fellman, president, domestic distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures. "We are very pleased to be able to bring The IMAX Experience(R) to NASCAR fans and, conversely, the excitement of a NASCAR movie to IMAX theatres and audiences across the country."

"We are extremely pleased to be telling the story of this thrilling sport, which has more than 75 million fans," said Brad Ball, executive vice president, domestic corporate marketing, Warner Bros. "We feel that NASCAR racing is a sport that not only translates beautifully to the scale and intensity of IMAX, but that our involvement with this project enables us to work with many of our AOL-TW affiliated companies in bringing NASCAR excitement to an ever-growing audience."

The film will be 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), will be director of photography; Neil Goldberg (producer of Fox's NASCAR coverage) will executive produce; and IMAX Corporation's Lorne Orleans will produce, with Doug Hylton of IMAX also producing.

NASCAR: The IMAX Experience 3D will transport fans directly into the driver's seat to explore the world of today's elite NASCAR drivers and teams. The film will briefly take fans into reverse to review the history of this legendary sport, told from the viewpoint of some of its most revered drivers, and will then thrust into high gear with a look at the thrilling phenomenon that is NASCAR today. Featuring rare behind-the-scenes glimpses, as well as gripping footage of the unpredictable action on the track, NASCAR: The IMAX Experience 3D will provide a close-up look at what motivates NASCAR drivers in and out of competition.

To document the authentic drama of NASCAR, the film will shoot at several NASCAR racetracks over the next four months. The IMAX crew will also film at various testing environments from the racetrack to the team shops, wind tunnel and at NASCAR's new, state-of-the-art research center in Concord, NC.

NASCAR: The IMAX Experience 3D will also focus on the science of today's racing technology, the cutting-edge racing machines and the underlying physics that drivers depend on to take turns at the highest speeds while skillfully maneuvering within inches of their competitors.

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(R) DMR(TM) (Digital Re-mastering) that will make it possible for 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 experiences. As of December 2002, there were more than 230 IMAX theatres operating in 32 countries. More than 700 million people have seen an IMAX presentation since the medium premiered in 1970. IMAX(R), IMAX(R) 3D, IMAX(R) DMR(TM) and The IMAX Experience(R) are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information on the Company can be found at http://www.imax.com .

SOURCE IMAX Corporation

CONTACT:
Media - Romi Schutzer, IMAX Corporation, New York,
+1-212-821-0144, rschutzer@imax.com; Business Media - Whit Clay, Sloane &
Company, New York, +1-212-446-1864, wclay@sloanepr.com; Entertainment Media -
Al Newman, Newman & Company, Los Angeles, +1-818-784-2130, asn@newman-co.com;
Analysts - Stephen G. Abraham, IMAX Corporation, New York, +1-212-821-0140,
sabraham@imax.com; Media - Stacy Ivers, Warner Bros. Pictures,
+1-818-954-6228, stacy.ivers@warnerbros.com, or Scott Rowe, Warner Bros.,
+1-818-954-5806, scott.rowe@warnerbros.com; Media - Kate Davis, NASCAR -
Daytona, +1-386-681-4197, kdavis@nascar.com; or Jennifer Johnson, Anachel
Communications, +1-310-546-9570, jj@anachel.com
/Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/103201.html

URL: http://www.imax.com
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