Imax's largest-ever deal in Europe set for regional areas

TORONTO -- Russian exhibitor Cinema Park has pacted with Imax Corp. to install up to 14 theatres.

The Prof-media subsidiary will open three super-sized theatres by the end of the year, with another seven to launch by 2012.

Cinema Park, Russia's fourth-largest exhibitor, also retained an option to order another four theatres down the road.

The deal, Imax's largest-ever in Europe, will see digital theatres mostly go into regional Russian markets beyond Moscow and St. Petersburg, where the Toronto-based exhibitor is already well represented.

Cinema Park operates 16 multiplexes with 133 screens across the Russian market.