Michael Jackson’s farewell film This Is It to screen in IMAX starting the night before its theatrical release

IMAX and Sony Pictures just announced that Michael Jackson’s farewell film This Is It will be released for a special run in select digital IMAX theatres worldwide during the film’s limited two-week engagement in thousands of theatres globally starting on October 28, 2009. The film’s domestic run at select digital IMAX theatres will be for evening showtimes starting at approximately 9 PM Pacific Standard Time, beginning Tuesday, October 27, 2009. Tickets for the worldwide release go on sale for most locations this Sunday, September 27th at 12:01 AM.

This Is It will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience with proprietary IMAX DMR (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images coupled with IMAX’s customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.

“The rollout of our new digital IMAX locations is expanding the range and frequency of IMAX content available to moviegoers worldwide,” said IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond. “Our partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment is growing with our theatre network, and we’re looking forward to continued success with them as we open more theatres and release more films.”

Michael Jackson’s This Is It will offer Jackson fans and music lovers worldwide a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the performer as he developed, created and rehearsed for his sold-out concerts that would have taken place beginning this summer in London’s O2 Arena. Chronicling the months from March through June, 2009, the film is produced with the full support of the Estate of Michael Jackson and drawn from more than one hundred hours of behind-the-scenes footage, featuring Jackson rehearsing a number of his songs for the show. Audiences will be given a privileged and private look at Jackson as he has never been seen before. In raw and candid detail, Michael Jackson’s This Is It captures the singer, dancer, filmmaker, architect, creative genius, and great artist at work as he creates and perfects his final show. Kenny Ortega, who was both Michael Jackson’s creative partner and the director of the stage show, is also directing the film, which is being produced by Randy Phillips, Kenny Ortega and Paul Gongaware.

To find out which IMAX locations will screen the film, visit imax.com.