IMAX to Open First-Ever Theme Park Destination Theatre in China at All-New Universal Beijing Resort

SHANGHAI and NEW YORK, June 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Beijing Resort and IMAX Corporation (NYSE: IMAX), IMAX China Holding, Inc. (HKSE: 1970) announced an agreement to launch the first-ever theme park destination IMAX theatre in China. The agreement will bring the groundbreaking  IMAX with Laser® projection system to the forthcoming Universal CITYWALK Cinema in 2021, and extend the longstanding collaboration between Universal and IMAX.

Currently under construction for its grand opening next year, Universal Beijing Resort has attracted enormous attention and offers a new distinctive entertainment destination in China. As one of the iconic features of Universal Beijing Resort, Universal CityWalk Beijing is set to open in 2021, together with Universal Studios Beijing, the Universal Studios Grand Hotel and the NUO Resort Hotel. Universal CityWalk Beijing provides guests with award-winning dining, entertainment, cinema, as well as a variety of themed retail stores and other services and facilities. Reflecting the important role of movies at Universal Beijing Resort, the Universal CITYWALK Cinema located at the center of CityWalk, was designed to host film premieres and high-profile VIP activities with IMAX Laser theater. The new IMAX theatre will serve as a platform to launch Chinese and Hollywood blockbusters for nationwide audiences.

"We are very excited to build on our partnership with Universal and bring IMAX to what will undoubtedly be one of the premiere entertainment destinations in all of China," said IMAX China CEO Edwin Tan. "As theatres prepare to open across the country, this new agreement demonstrates the enduring value of the IMAX Experience and global brand, and a testament to strength of the theatrical business in China."

"At Universal Beijing Resort, we will immerse our guests in incredible experiences that bring their favorite stories and characters to life in entirely new ways. Universal CityWalk Beijing is an integral part of this fantastic experiences," said Tom Mehrmann, President and General Manager of Universal Beijing Resort. "We are looking forward to bringing the exciting IMAX with Laser® experience to millions of guests, allowing guests to enjoy their time and explore the possibilities at Universal Beijing Resort."

The Universal CITYWALK Cinema at Universal Beijing Resort will feature the cutting-edge IMAX with Laser technology, which has been designed from the ground-up exclusively for IMAX screens. The experience is set apart by its 4K laser projection system featuring a new optical engine and a suite of proprietary IMAX technologies that deliver crystal clear IMAX laser projection, increased resolution, deeper contrast as well as the most distinct, exotic colors ever available on-screen. The new experience also features next generation IMAX precision sound and 12-channel sound technology as well as new side and overhead channels, delivering greater dynamic range and precision for the ultimate in audio immersion.

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About Universal Beijing Resort

Universal Beijing Resort is a widely anticipated theme park destination that will feature the Universal Studios Beijing theme park, the Universal CityWalk Beijing retail, dining and entertainment complex and two hotels.  The hotels include the Universal Studios Grand Hotel, the first-ever Universal-themed resort hotel, and the first NUO-branded resort hotel from Beijing Tourism Group.  The Universal Studios Beijing theme park will feature seven highly themed and immersive lands that include several all-new attractions along with the selected Universal rides, shows and attractions from around the world – plus specially created experiences designed to reflect China's cultural heritage. 

Universal Beijing Resort is developed, constructed and operated by Beijing International Resort Co., Ltd., a joint venture that is 70 percent owned by Beijing Shouhuan Cultural Tourism Investment Co., Ltd., and 30 percent owned by Universal Parks & Resorts, a business unit of Comcast NBCUniversal. 

Beijing Shouhuan Cultural Tourism Investment Company, Ltd. (BSH Investment) was founded to support the investment of Universal Beijing Resort. Under the guideline to, "drive the development of an industry and a region with a project," BSH Investment and Universal Parks & Resort will jointly invest Universal Beijing Resort with extraordinary design, technology, creativity and environmental protection.  

Universal Parks & Resorts, a unit of Comcast NBCUniversal, offers guests around the globe today's popular entertainment experiences. With three-time Academy Award® winning filmmaker Steven Spielberg as creative consultant, Universal's theme parks are known for immersive experiences featuring highly thrilling and technologically advanced film- and television-based attractions. Guests of all ages enjoy encounters and adventures with some of the very popular characters and well-established brands in entertainment. Comcast NBCUniversal wholly owns Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Japan and has a license agreement with Universal Studios Singapore.

More information at https://www.universalbeijingresort.com/en/home

About IMAX China

IMAX China is a subsidiary of IMAX Corporation, and was incorporated as a limited liability company under the laws of Cayman Islands. IMAX China was established by IMAX Corporation specifically to oversee the expansion of IMAX's business throughout Greater China. IMAX China trades on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the stock code "1970."

About IMAX Corporation

IMAX, an innovator in entertainment technology, combines proprietary software, architecture and equipment to create experiences that take you beyond the edge of your seat to a world you've never imagined. Top filmmakers and studios are utilizing IMAX theatres to connect with audiences in extraordinary ways, and, as such, IMAX's network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the globe.

IMAX is headquartered in New York, Toronto and Los Angeles, with additional offices in London, Dublin, Tokyo, and Shanghai. As of Mar 31, 2020, there were 1,616 IMAX theater systems (1,526 commercial multiplexes, 14 commercial destinations, 76 institutional) operating in 81 countries and territories. On Oct. 8, 2015, shares of IMAX China, a subsidiary of IMAX Corp., began trading on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the stock code "1970."

IMAX®, IMAX® 3D, IMAX DMR®, Experience It In IMAX®, An IMAX 3D Experience®, The IMAX Experience®, IMAX Is Believing® and IMAX nXos® are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information about the Company can be found at www.imax.com. You may also connect with IMAX on Facebook (www.facebook.com/imax), Twitter (www.twitter.com/imax) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/imaxmovies).

SOURCE IMAX China