A24, the unrivaled indie distributor, has joined forces with Imax to bring an original monthly screening program for the first time that would make available critically acclaimed A24 titles at Imax theaters. This partnership will give viewers a unique movie experience by presenting some of the greatest indie films of recent years.
Launching with a Bang: ‘Ex Machina’ and ‘Civil War’
The first event is slated for March 27 and will feature a screening of Alex Garland’s breakthrough sci-fi thriller, “Ex Machina” (2014). It will be great seeing this film on such a vast screen, but additionally, there’ll be an exclusive preview from Garland’s upcoming book, “Civil War.” The festival’s world premiere took place this week at South by Southwest (SXSW), and now it is about to go wide in North American cinemas starting on April 12, when “Civil War” will be released in U.S. theaters.
At a time when there has been a massive increase in the popularity of Imax theaters due to recent blockbusters like Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune: Part Two” and the Oscar-sweeping “Oppenheimer” by Christopher Nolan, this initiative is timely. This collaboration with A24 shows that Imax’s commitment to enhancing the cinematic experience is not limited to big-budget studio films.
A New Home for Indie Classics
The partnership between A24 and Imax involves digitally remastering and projecting over 140 A24’s critically acclaimed library feature films. These screenings will be held in more than 300 Imax theaters throughout America, while some select international locations are listed on the schedule, too. The series will pick up on April 24 with Ari Aster’s unsettling horror film “Hereditary,” after “Ex Machina,” followed by the Safdie brothers’ gripping drama “Uncut Gems” on May 22. Both are scheduled for Wednesdays, with other titles yet to be announced.
Over the years, A24 and Imax have been working closely together in marketing film releases (e.g., “The Tragedy of Macbeth,” for which exclusive events were organized, as well as “Everything Everywhere At Once” and “Beau is Afraid” that had limited releases). Their partnership is based on a common interest in promoting varied kinds of film that can be meaningful to viewers looking for depth, innovation, or quality films.
This monthly screening series represents a bold move by A24 and Imax to bridge the gap between independent cinema and the immersive viewing experience offered by Imax theaters. For fans of indie films, this is a rare opportunity to revisit some of their favorite movies in a new and exciting format. As the series unfolds, it’s set to celebrate the achievements of A24′s filmmakers and introduce their work to broader audiences so they can appreciate it properly.