Ster Kinekor Unveils IMAX With Laser At The Zone Rosebank As Ultimate Cinema Experience

Ster-Kinekor, the leading cinema exhibitor in South Africa, is proud to announce the opening of its first IMAX^® with Laser theatre in Gauteng. Situated at The Zone @ Rosebank cinema complex, the official launch takes place on 10 April and establishes the site as the chain’s premium cinema destination across the region, offering an unparalleled sensory experience for moviegoers.

The state-of-the-art IMAX^® with Laser cinema is the latest addition to Ster-Kinekor’s portfolio of specialist formats at The Zone. These include three luxurious Cine Prestige theatres, the fun and colourful Kids’ Cinema, and SK-Xperience, an interactive entertainment offering within the complex, together ensuring the best cinema experience for cinema goers.

Mark Sardi, CEO of Ster-Kinekor, said: “There is an undeniable magic in the big-screen experience that simply cannot be replicated at home. Cinemas remain uniquely relevant because they deliver films the way directors made them to be seen – on the biggest canvas, with immersive sound and uncompromised image quality. And this is what the IMAX Experience^® epitomises.”

It is interesting to note how many more filmmakers are now choosing to shoot their films exclusively with IMAX cameras to give audiences the complete Filmed For IMAX^® experience. The latest IMAX with Laser Technology theatre at The Zone ensures that cinema fans will get to feel the full scale and emotion of the director’s vision when they watch their films as they were made to be seen.

IMAX^® with Laser technology, IMAX’s most advanced entertainment experience, offers a next generation laser projection and enhanced multi-channel sound system exclusive to IMAX theatres. Immersive by design, the technology is developed from the ground up to deliver crystal clear, lifelike images and precision audio for a moviegoing experience unlike any other. The experience is set apart by a ground-breaking 4k laser projection system that features a new optical engine, custom designed lenses, and a suite of proprietary technology that delivers brighter images with increased resolution, deeper contrast, and the widest range of colours exclusively to IMAX screens.

The theatre has been configured to maximise sightlines and acoustic immersion to enable audiences to experience films with the scale and clarity for which IMAX is known. It features a screen that is 17m wide and 9,7m high, and will accommodate approximately 285 seats.

“Being at the forefront of the latest big-screen technology ensures that our guests always enjoy great movie moments at their greatest. There is an excellent slate of upcoming titles in IMAX, and their releases will be further enhanced with this latest laser technology,” comments Sardi.

The new cinema launches officially today, Friday 10 April, with two features sharing the IMAX screen – The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and Project Hail Mary, followed by Lee Cronin’s The Mummy from 17 April.  Cinema fans can then look forward to the much-anticipated release of the Michael Jackson biopic Michael in IMAX when that title releases on 22 April.

Ensuring The Zone becomes the go-to destination for the release of major blockbuster titles, upcoming films releasing in IMAX include: Mortal Kombat 2 (Filmed For IMAX – 08 May), Mandalorian & Grogu (Filmed For IMAX – 22 May), Disclosure Day (10 June), Toy Story 5 (19 June), Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (Filmed For IMAX – 26 June), Moana Live Action (10 July), The Odyssey (Filmed For IMAX – 17 July), Street Fighter (Filmed For IMAX – 16 October) and Dune Chapter 3 (Filmed For IMAX – 18 December).

Placing an IMAX in the Rosebank precinct makes the premium big-screen experience more accessible to nearby communities, including the Parks, Hyde Park, Sandton and neighbouring suburbs. The opening at The Zone represents the next phase of investment in this premium large-format exhibition, and underscores Ster-Kinekor’s focus on maintaining and expanding flagship cinema experiences across South Africa.

#DoMoviesRight   #SterKinekor   #IMAXExperience   #FIlmedForIMAX

ENDS

Issued by:                                          aHead PR                                                      

On behalf of:                                    Ster-Kinekor Theatres                                                                      

For media information:                   Janet de Kretser                                                 

Tel:                                                      083 973 3531

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About Ster-Kinekor Theatres

Ster-Kinekor Theatres is the largest movie exhibitor on the African continent. To most South Africans, the word ‘movies’ is synonymous with the name ‘Ster-Kinekor’. The company operates 32 commercial cinema complexes in South Africa that house 249 large-scale screens, with 33 147 seats and the largest 3D footprint featuring 99 state-of-the-art 3D screens in South Africa (Commercial, 3D, IMAX, Kids Cinema and Cine Prestige). It also operates four cinema complexes in Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia, with 23 screens and 3 014 seats.

As the industry leader, Ster-Kinekor has pioneered cinema concepts such as Cinema Nouveau, a dedicated art-house multiplex cinema, and the luxurious Cine Prestige theatres, the first ‘business class’ cinema experience in South Africa; and has headed the return of the IMAX® Experience, with eight IMAX® Theatres across the country. Ster-Kinekor has expanded its cinema innovation to launch the first Kids’ Cinema complete with slides and bean bag seating (currently seven screens) as well as D-BOX which brings movie experiences to life with motion seats. Most recently, Ster-Kinekor introduced SKX-PERIENCE Powered by Jozi X at The Zone in Rosebank, an indoor adventure hub offering axe throwing, gel blaster, splatter room and escape rooms, adding a new dimension to the Ster-Kinekor entertainment experience.

As one of South Africa’s most loved brands, it is Ster-Kinekor’s ongoing mission to become synonymous with the unrivalled magic of the cinema experience, by providing ‘Great Moments at Their Greatest’. During 2013, the company embarked on a massive roll-out project to convert and equip every cinema with the very latest in digital projection and sound technology. The result of this upgrade is that every cinema now boasts state-of-the-art cinema technology that encompasses 2K and 4K digital projection and 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound systems.

The SK Club loyalty programme rewards members with redeemable points when they swipe their card when buying movie tickets or catering, as well as half-price tickets on Tuesdays. Combined with industry-leading loyalty programmes from Edgars Club and Discovery Vitality, these give Ster-Kinekor a strong consumer value proposition and competitive advantage. Ster-Kinekor has extended its loyalty offering to include the first subscription model in South Africa: SK Subscription Club, which offers members a limited or unlimited number of movies per month at a set cost whilst also enjoying the benefits of SK Club.

As the market leader, Ster-Kinekor aims to spearhead the advancement of cinema across both South Africa and the rest of Africa, to ensure that consumers continue to experience movies as they were made to be seen – on the big screen.

See more at: www.sterkinekor.com

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 theaters 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.  Streaming technology company SSIMWAVE, an IMAX subsidiary, is a leader in AI-driven video quality solutions for media and entertainment companies.

IMAX is headquartered in New York, Toronto, and Los Angeles, with additional offices in London, Dublin, Tokyo, and Shanghai. As of September 30, 2022, there were 1,703 IMAX theater systems (1,622 commercial multiplexes, 12 commercial destinations, 69 institutional) operating in 87 countries and territories. Shares of IMAX China Holding, Inc., a subsidiary of IMAX Corporation, trade on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the stock code "1970."  

IMAX®, IMAX® Dome, IMAX® 3D, IMAX® 3D Dome, Experience It In IMAX®, The IMAX Experience®, An IMAX Experience®, An IMAX 3D Experience®, IMAX DMR®, DMR®, Filmed For IMAX™, IMAX LIVE™, IMAX Enhanced™, IMAX nXos®, SSIMWAVE® and Films to the Fullest®, are trademarks and trade names of the Company or its subsidiaries that are registered or otherwise protected under laws of various jurisdictions. For more information, visit www.imax.com. You may also connect with IMAX on Instagram (www.instagram.com/imax), Facebook (www.facebook.com/imax), Twitter (www.twitter.com/imax), YouTube (www.youtube.com/imaxmovies) and LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/imax).