October 27, 2021—The Birdly experience, the latest in VR technology combined with motion simulation, opened at Telus Spark Science Centre in Calgary this week, with great coverage on local news. Birdly is a full-body virtual reality bird flight simulator coupling robotics and simulation technology. D3D Cinema is the official distributor for Birdly throughout North America for special attractions and public nonprofit institutions such as museums, zoos, aquariums, science centers, etc., and produces content for the attraction as well. Watch the Birdly report from GlobalNews.ca here

October 25, 2021—We are very sad to share that Director/Producer George Butler died peacefully at his home in True Farm, New Hampshire, on October 21, 2021. The cause of death at age 78 was pneumonia. George's curiosity for the natural world, for science and adventure, combined with his steadfast commitment to the giant screen, led him to create the award-winning giant screen films Roving Mars and Shackleton’s Antarctic Adventure. Most recently he was producer and director of Tiger Tiger, an IMAX documentary to be released in 2022 and made with his friend Frank Marshall, with whom he had previously partnered on Roving Mars.

October 22, 2021—This month, after 24 years, 216 regular issues, and 11 yearbooks, publisher and editor James Hyder released the final issue of LF Examiner, the first independent journal and only remaining print publication devoted to the giant screen industry. He started working as theater manager at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum’s Langley IMAX theater in 1984, and while there he assisted in the development and production of several IMAX films. In 1997 he founded MaxImage!, renamed LF Examiner in 2000.

October 22, 2021—MacGillivray Freeman Films has launched a new streaming channel, Movies for Families, featuring documentaries and digital shorts from the extensive MacGillivray Freeman library. Documentaries include resources for parents and educators, such as educator guides, lesson plans, and other educational resources. The channel's website also includes a curated list of recommended films and short-form series that align with elementary and middle-school subjects. The subscription to Movies For Families is $3.99 (USD) per month or $39.99 (USD) per year. Visit moviesforfamilies.tv here

October 19, 2021—IMAX Corporation has appointed John Turner as its head of documentaries. In his new role, Turner will oversee development of all documentary films and non-fiction content for the IMAX global network, and will report directly to Megan Colligan, the company’s president. Turner will also oversee IMAX’s five-picture agreement with Imagine Documentaries beginning with Mars 2080, a documentary about a colony on Mars set 60 years in the future.

October 19, 2021—The largest IMAX screen in the world to opened to the public on September 30 at the Traumpalast Multiplex in Leonberg, Germany. Measuring 21.03 meters (68.99 feet) high and 38.16 (125.19 feet) meters wide–wider than a Boeing 737 airliner–the record-breaking screen kicked off with the premiere of the latest James Bond entry No Time to Die, featuring select sequences shot with IMAX film cameras.

October 6, 2021—We regret to share the sad news that Mark Peterson, a veteran of the planetarium and giant screen industries, died of heart failure on September 2 at the age of 78. During his long and storied career, he completed over 100 theater projects around the world. His knowledge, wisdom, and advice were crucial to the advancement of the giant screen industry. Even if you didn't know Mark personally, if you are involved in the giant screen industry, your life is undoubtedly touched by his work and dedication. 

October 5, 2021—Congratulations to BBC Earth and SK Films on winning Best Cinematography for Antarctica at this year's Jackson Wild Media Awards! Cinematographers include Alexander Vail, Hugh Miller, John Aitchison, Rolf Steinmann, Mark MacEwen, John Brown, Bertie Gregory, Pete McCowen, Ted Giffords, Dan Beecham, Espen Rekdal, and Justin Hofman. 

This year’s Jackson Wild award submissions included over 750 category entries from nearly 30 different countries. Finalists were selected by more than 150 international judges who together screened over 3,000 hours of media. ​A distinguished panel of final judges from around the globe selected the 2021 Jackson Wild Media Award Winners directly prior to the Summit. Winners were announced during the Jackson Wild Media Awards Ceremony on Sept. 30, 2021. Antarctica is produced by BBC Earth and distributed by SK Films. Click here for more information about Antarctica.

And click here for a full list of the Jackson Wild Media Award winners. 

October 5, 2021—IMAX Corporation has announced that the highly anticipated documentary The Last Glaciers, from award-winning filmmaker Craig Leeson and producer Malcolm Wood, will hit select IMAX screens on March 22, 2022, immersing viewers in the cause and effects of climate change over an epic four-year stretch across Antarctica, the Himalaya, Alps, Andes and more.