Online, Imax And The Smithsonian Join In Partnership On Sponsorship Agreement For ""Galapagos,"" A Groundbreaking New IMAXÆ 3D Experienceô

America Online, Inc. (NYSE: AOL), Imax Corporation (Nasdaq: IMAX; TSE: IMX) and the Smithsonian Institution today announced that AOL will be the exclusive sponsor of the groundbreaking new Imax 3D Experience, ""Galapagos,"" a 45-minute voyage of discovery and wonderment which captures first images of bizarre forms of aquatic life never before seen by the human eye. This represents the largest-ever online partnership for a giant-screen motion picture.""Galapagos"" will begin showing in IMAX theatres nationwide, and around the world, following its premiere on October 27 at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History's Samuel C. Johnson Theatre. ""Galapagos"" retraces the groundbreaking footsteps of Charles Darwin with a young scientist as she explores the biological diversity and unique geologic history of the Galapagos archipelago. The 45-minute large-format film was shot on location 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador and features some of the best underwater 3D footage in motion picture history.In addition to online programming, this agreement will provide for distribution of ""Galapagos"" educational materials to teachers for use in classrooms across the country. AOL will incorporate these educational materials and other elements of the film into its online programming, including broadband content and education-targeted programming. Several elements of the film will also appear in ""Internet Adventure"" an Internet education and safety campaign that AOL and the Smithsonian will bring to cities nationwide this winter and through the year 2000 aboard a computer-outfitted 18-wheeler truck. The ""Internet Adventure"" program will focus primarily on bringing educational use of the Internet to schools in under-served areas across the country.""This is an impressive film and we are very excited to share its scientific lessons and great giant-screen experience with people around the world,"" said Joe Redling, AOL Senior Vice President for Brand Marketing. ""We are particularly excited to be building partnerships that will enhance our ability to develop new and enriching experiences for our members and the Internet. The Smithsonian is world-renowned for its remarkable scientific and historical content - and for synthesizing that content into educational tools and exhibits. And Imax is the leading provider of one of the truly great on-screen experiences of our time. We look forward to bringing elements of these experiences online.""""Through AOL we are going to broaden ""Galapagos'"" educational reach and commercial exposure by expanding the audience for the film's marketing to include AOL's massive on-line constituency of more than 18 million members throughout the world,"" said Imax co-CEOs Bradley J. Wechsler and Richard L. Gelfond. ""This arrangement with AOL sets a new benchmark for Imax film sponsorship, and we're delighted that Galapagos and the IMAX theatre network will benefit from the marketing opportunities that it brings to the medium.""""We're delighted that AOL has opted to take a leadership role in bringing the world of Galapagos to audiences around the globe,"" said Robert Fri, Director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. ""This partnership is a perfect example of how the public and private sectors can join together to enhance the learning experience through the marriage of motion pictures and computer science. We salute them for their commitment to expanding educational opportunities through the Internet.""Founded in 1985, America Online, Inc., based in Dulles, Virginia, is the world's leader in interactive services, Web brands, Internet technologies, and e-commerce services. America Online, Inc. operates: two worldwide Internet services, America Online, with more than 18 million members, and CompuServe, with approximately two million members; several leading Internet brands including ICQ, AOL Instant Messenger and Digital City, Inc.; the Netscape Netcenter and AOL.COM portals; the Netscape Navigator and Communicator browsers; AOL MovieFone, the nation's # 1 movie listing guide and ticketing service; and Spinner Networks and NullSoft, Inc., leaders in Internet music. Through its strategic alliance with Sun Microsystems, the Company develops and offers easy-to-deploy, end-to-end e-commerce and enterprise solutions for companies operating in the Net Economy.Since the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History first welcomed the public in 1910, it has become the most popular natural history museum in the world. Nearly 165 million visitors - more than 6.5 million in 1998 - have seen the treasures of the United States' national collections and learned about Earth and humankind from its exhibitions. The Museum's mission has three parts: research, care of the national collections, and public education in anthropology and the natural sciences. Today, the National Museum of Natural History is the largest bureau of the Smithsonian Institution, the world's largest museum complex, which encompasses 16 museum and galleries, the National Zoo, as well as scientific and cultural research facilities in Washington D.C., 10 states and the Republic of Panama.Founded in 1967, Imax Corporation has consistently delivered the world's premiere cinematic experiences. There were more than 195 IMAX theatres in 25 countries as of June 30, 1999, with a backlog of more than 80 theatre systems scheduled to open in 15 new countries during the next few years. Over 500 million people have seen an Imax presentation since the medium premiered in 1970. In 1999, more than 70 million people worldwide are expected to attend an IMAX theatre. Imax has forged strategic alliances and relationships with some of the most prominent corporations in the world including The Walt Disney Company, Famous Players Inc. (a subsidiary of Viacom Inc.) and Loews Cineplex Corp. In 1997, Imax was awarded an Oscar(R) for Scientific and Technical Achievement by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.Source: America Online, Inc., Imax Corporation, Smithsonian Institution