IMAX industry veteran Patricia Brandino has joined 3D Entertainment Distribution in the newly created position of VP, Film Sales. Effective September 7, Brandino will be responsible for theatrical sales of the company's current and future film catalogue in North America, including Jean-Michel Cousteau's DOLPHINS AND WHALES 3D released domestically at IMAX 3-D theatres earlier this year. She will report directly to Francois Mantello, the chairman of 3D Entertainment and its distribution unit.
"Patricia is a highly experienced and accomplished industry professional. Her knowledge of IMAX theatre exhibition and track record as the head of distribution for National Geographic's IMAX films, not to mention her long-standing relationships with many of the industry's key players, make her a great asset to our company," Mantello said. "We are delighted to have such an established personality complement our existing team at a time when we are actively expanding our business activities and services."
"I am thrilled by the opportunity to play an active role in 3D Entertainment Distribution's business growth in North America," said Patricia Brandino. "The company has distinguished itself since its inception with an original and undisputedly highly successful underwater film series that fully takes advantage of the 3D giant screen medium."
Prior to joining the company, Brandino was with international television distribution company Minds Eye International as Managing Director, and before that with Utah-based Destination Cinema Inc. in the position of Director of Film Distribution for the National Geographic IMAX theatre films FORCES OF NATURE (2004), ROAR: LIONS OF THE KALAHARI (2003) and LEWIS & CLARK: GREAT JOURNEY WEST (2002).
Brandino began her career in the giant screen industry 18 years ago as Director, Sales and Marketing at the Saskatchewan Science Centre's IMAX theatre. She subsequently launched the National Geographic IMAX theatre facility at the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria, British Columbia in 1998. The giant screen cinema industry association recognized this tremendous achievement the following year with the Best Theatre Launch Award at its annual conference.
3D Entertainment Distribution's portfolio of ocean conservation-based films includes the IMAX theatre releases OCEAN WONDERLAND (2003), SHARKS 3D (2005) and DOLPHINS AND WHALES 3D (2008) presented by Jean-Michel Cousteau and narrated by actress and environmentalist Daryl Hannah. The first two titles have grossed more than $56 million theatrically and continue to play in the U.S., while the newly released DOLPHINS AND WHALES 3D has already generated $8.3 million in gross receipts in its first six months ($4.3 million domestically).
3D Entertainment is currently in post-production on its first feature length film, OCEANS 3D: VOYAGE OF A TURTLE (85 minutes), which will hit digital 3-D cinemas in 2009. The company also announced earlier this year that it has begun actively developing a new 42-minute film for IMAX 3-D theatres about sea turtles for a 2010 release.
