IMAX Corporation announced Thursday an agreement with Shanghai Film Corporation (SFC) and its subsidiary, Shanghai United Circuit Co. Ltd. (SUC), for five additional IMAX theatres in China.

Four of the theatres will be located in existing multiplexes in Hangzhou, Qingdao, Shenzhen and Chengdu, with another to be added to a new development in Changzhou.

Over the past year, the parties have signed agreements for 26 theatres. The new announcement brings to 30 the exhibitor’s total IMAX commitment, of which 16 are currently in operation. SFC is the company’s third-largest partner in China and fifth-largest partner worldwide.

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Shanghai Film Corporation is China’s largest state-owned enterprise in the exhibition industry, with the leading exhibition market share in the country.

Shanghai Film Group, SFC’s parent company, and SUC opened their first IMAX theatre in 2004, which was the first commercial IMAX theatre in China.

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Shanghai Film Corporation (SFC) is a holding subsidiary of Shanghai Film Group Corporation. SFC operates in a few business areas including film distribution, copyright content sales, cinema line management, and the investment, development and management of cinemas.

IMAX China is a subsidiary of IMAX Corporation, and is incorporated under the laws of Hong Kong. IMAX China was established by IMAX Corporation specifically to oversee the expansion of IMAX’s business throughout Greater China.

Photo courtesy: IMAX