SAN FRANCISCO--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Jan. 4, 2001--Visa International, the world's leading payment brand, and IMAX Ltd. (Nasdaq:IMAX) (TSE:IMX), one of the world's leading entertainment technology companies, today announced a two-year global strategic partnership designed to provide worldwide marketing opportunities for both companies.

According to the agreement, which runs through September 30, 2002, Visa and IMAX will implement combined marketing programs on a worldwide basis.

"This partnership brings together two global brands, Visa and IMAX(R), in a unique partnership that will benefit all our constituencies," said Tom Shepard, Visa International's senior vice president for International Marketing Partnerships and Sponsorships. "By aligning with IMAX, one of the most unique entertainment experiences in existence, we are able to further diversify the special offers to our member financial institutions and their Visa cardholders as well as establish a mutually beneficial partnership for promoting our respective brands to a global audience."

Through this agreement, Visa will work with its 21,000 member financial institutions worldwide to create special value-added offers for their cardholders on IMAX tickets, merchandise and concessions at the point-of-sale. Other key Visa initiatives will include international marketing promotions and international advertising in a variety of media.

Additionally, both IMAX and Visa will work together to identify and pursue e-commerce marketing initiatives. For instance, IMAX will present Visa as the priority and preferred e-commerce payment option on its theatre Web sites. Visa will post cardholder offers for participating IMAX theatres around the world on its Web site at www.visa.com.

"Visa, recognized in nearly 300 countries and territories and the world's leading payment system, is a trusted brand that commands immediate international recognition," said Cindy Aylward, Sr. Vice President of Sponsorship and Partnerships of IMAX Corporation. "This agreement with Visa will increase awareness of IMAX films and IMAX theatres worldwide and underscores the inherent value of the IMAX brand."

All participating IMAX theatres will display Visa's point of purchase signage and indoor banner advertising materials exclusively. IMAX also will offer private screenings and tickets at film premieres as part of special Visa marketing programs and will provide Visa the opportunity to sponsor upcoming films under development. Additionally, Visa will be offered rights in the payment card category for corporate tie-in opportunities for IMAX movie events at all IMAX theatres in all regions.

IMAX leases IMAX motion picture projection systems to specially-designed theatres worldwide. There are currently more than 220 permanent theatres operating in 28 countries. Over 90 of these theatres are equipped with IMAX 3D technology.

Notes to Editors:

About Visa - Visa is the world's leading payments brand and the largest payments system worldwide. Visa-branded cards generate more than US$1.6 trillion in annual volume and are accepted at nearly 20 million locations around the world. The Visa organization plays a pivotal role in advancing new payment products and technologies to benefit its 21,000 member financial institutions and their cardholders. Visa is a leader in Internet based payments and is pioneering the creation of u-commerce, or universal commerce - the ability to conduct commerce anytime, anywhere, over any type of device. Visit Visa at www.visa.com.

About IMAX Corporation -- IMAX Corporation and its subsidiaries comprise one of the world's leading entertainment technology companies, with particular emphasis on film and digital imaging technologies, including giant-screen images, 3D presentations, digital post-production and digital projection. There were more than 220 IMAX theatres operating in 28 countries around the world as of September 30, 2000. IMAX's subsidiaries include Digital Projection International, whose primary business is the design and manufacture of high-end digital image delivery devices, Sonics Associates, a designer and manufacturer of high-end sound systems and DKP/70MM Inc., award-winning specialists in image quality control and post-production. IMAX has forged strategic alliances and relationships with some of the most prominent corporations in the world including Famous Players Inc. (a subsidiary of Viacom Inc.), America Online Inc. and Texas Instruments Inc. IMAX Corporation is a publicly traded company listed on both the Toronto and Nasdaq stock exchanges. More information on the Company can be found at www.imax.com. IMAX(R) and The IMAX Experience(R) are registered trademarks of IMAX Corporation.


CONTACT:	Visa International
	Michael Sherman, 650/432-3923
	sherman@visa.com
	or
	IMAX Ltd.
	Victoria Dinnick, 905/403-6366
	vdinnick@imax.com