China the next frontier for the movie business

About Richard Gelfond

Richard Gelfond is chief executive officer of IMAX Corporation, one of the world’s leading entertainment technology companies. Under his leadership, IMAX has evolved from a niche purveyor of nature and science documentaries to a Hollywood movie force — both as a high-tech exhibitor and a creative partner in the movie-making process. IMAX has more than 1,226 theaters in 75 countries. In 2017, IMAX is expecting a blockbuster year from tent poles films including The Fate of the Furious, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Transformers: The Last Knight, Dunkirk and Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Under Gelfond’s direction, IMAX entered China more than 15 years ago just as the nation’s entertainment, film, and exhibition industry were developing. Growing as it did alongside the industry, IMAX has become a key part of the nation’s movie-going culture. Today, China is IMAX’s second-largest and fastest growing market with more than 400 theaters open and is embraced by audiences across the country as the best and most immersive way to see a film.