[2] Walt Disney Pictures' ``Fantasia/2000'' IMAX Engagements and World Premiere Tour To Be Officially Sponsored by Kodak

Business Wire, Dec 16, 1999

BURBANK, Calif.--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Dec. 15, 1999--

Walt Disney Pictures' ambitious animated feature, "Fantasia/2000," has added Kodak as the official sponsor of its five-city "World Premiere Tour" as well as its exclusive 4-month IMAX(R) engagement (starting Jan. 1, 2000), it was announced today by Richard Cook, chairman of The Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group, and Joerg Agin, president of Kodak's Entertainment Imaging Division.

Under the terms of this arrangement, Kodak will sponsor all five of the live performance concerts, commencing with the film's "World Premiere" at Carnegie Hall on Dec. 17, and including subsequent events in London, Paris, Tokyo and Pasadena, Calif. Kodak will also be the presenting sponsor of the 4-month exclusive run of "Fantasia/2000 - The IMAX Experience(R)."

In addition to Kodak's sponsorship of the events and engagements, "Fantasia/2000" is one of the first IMAX large-format motion pictures to be printed on Kodak Vision film, the company's newest print film with brighter, richer colors that help bring the magic of this story to life.

Commenting on the announcement, Cook said: "We are thrilled to have Kodak on board as the official sponsor of our 'Fantasia/2000' IMAX engagements and the 'World Premiere Tour.' Disney and Kodak have a relationship that extends back to the early days of this Studio and their participation in this project marks a new chapter in that successful and strategic alliance.

"'Fantasia/2000' is an extraordinary entertainment event and Kodak is the ideal partner for our exciting and unprecedented plans for the movie."

Agin added: "'Fantasia/2000' will be the first release of a feature length animated movie in IMAX theaters. The large-screen format really shows off the power of motion picture film. Disney's capabilities -- and ours -- have grown exponentially since the release of the original 'Fantasia' almost 60 years ago.

"The 15/70mm IMAX images of `Fantasia/2000' will be 10 times larger than the 35mm film images of the 1940 release. And Disney will be using our newest Kodak print film which showcases the new film's artistry to maximum advantage. All of that means a more spectacular experience for the audience."

"Fantasia/2000" is scheduled to premiere at Carnegie Hall on Dec. 17, with renowned maestro James Levine conducting the 120-piece Philharmonia Orchestra of London in a live concert played in synch to the animated imagery.

The ensemble will then embark on a "World Premiere Tour" to repeat the gala evening in London, Paris and Tokyo. The tour concludes on New Year's Eve with the "Fantasia/2000" Gala at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, where 2,000 special guests will greet the turn of the century with a live performance played to the film and a gala party.

On Jan. 1, "Fantasia/2000" will open exclusively in IMAX theaters worldwide for a 4-month limited engagement.

Walt Disney Pictures' "Fantasia/2000" offers an exciting showcase for the talents of a new generation of Disney animators and filmmakers as they visually interpret classical compositions by Beethoven, Shostakovich, Respighi, Saint-Saens, Elgar and Stravinsky.

Seven new selections plus "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" celebrate the same creative spirit of "Fantasia." The film is under the personal supervision of Roy Edward Disney. Don Ernst served as producer and Hendel Butoy was the supervising director. Segment directors include Butoy, Francis Glebas, Eric Goldberg, Paul and Gaetan Brizzi and Pixote Hunt.