Harkness Screens Provides Out Of This World 3D Viewing Experience For Avatar Premiere

harkness-screens-logo.jpgYears Most Anticipated Film to Open on Over 4,000 Harkness 3D Screens Worldwide

FREDERICKSBURG, VA - Harkness Screens, the world's leading manufacturer of projection screens for cinema applications, was the screen of choice at the world premiere of James Cameron's highly-anticipated 3D blockbuster, Avatar, at the Empire and Odeon cinemas in Leicester Square in the UK. In addition to the world premiere, Harkness was also selected for the U.S. premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.

The world premiere, which took place on Thursday, December 10, featured a Harkness Perlux(r) 180 screen, Dolby(r) 3D solution and Barco projectors at the Empire Leicester Square cinema and a Harkness Spectral(tm) 240 screen, RealD XL and NEC projectors at the Odeon Leicester Square cinema. The premiere was viewed by more than 3,000 invited guests wearing 3D glasses designed to deliver a never-before-seen 3D experience.

For the U.S. premiere, a Harkness Spectral(tm) 240 screen, RealD XL technology and Christie projectors were used.

Harkness' screens have enabled ultra bright presentations for both 3D technologies, RealD's polarised light and Dolby's colour spectrum separation. Harkness has provided the majority of screens for 3D presentations worldwide, and makes the optimum screen for all 3D technologies.

"We are excited to be the screen of choice at the world premier of the most widely anticipated film of the year," says Andrew Robinson, Harkness Screens managing director. In addition to our screens being used at the world and U.S. premieres, Avatar is set to open on over 4,000 Harkness 3D screens worldwide. It's a tremendous honour and a real testament to the high quality of Screens Harkness produces."

Avatar aims to take moviegoers to a spectacular world beyond imagination, where a reluctant hero embarks on an epic adventure, ultimately fighting to save the alien world he has learned to call home. James Cameron, who won an Oscar(r) for his movie Titanic, first conceived the idea for Avatar 15 years ago, when the means to realize his vision did not yet exist. Now, after four years of production, Avatar combines live action with state-of-the-art special effects that deliver a fully immersing 3D cinematic experience of a new kind.

About Harkness Screens

Harkness Screens is the world's leading manufacturer of large screens. Thousands of screens are supplied every year for cinema, film production, special effects, live events and custom AV applications. Founded in 1929, Harkness has just celebrated its 80th year in business and has screens in place in over 50 countries. With its corporate office located in the Ireland, other offices and factories are located in UK, France, Beijing and Fredericksburg, VA. Harkness Screens combines unrivalled experience with the latest technology to provide innovative solutions to the company's key markets worldwide. For more information, visit the Harkness Screens web page at www.harkness-screens.com.