3D Entertainment Films To Produce IMAX Theatre Film 'Air Racers 3D: Forces of Flight'

If you've ever wondered what it might be like to compete in the Reno Air Races, this may be the closest thing to getting into the cockpit. 3D Entertainment Films said Wednesday that it will be producing "Air Racers 3D: Forces of Flight" alongside the film's original partners, Pretend Entertainment and Stereoscope. Under this new joint venture, Jean-Jacques Mantello ("OceanWorld 3D," 2009; Jean-Michel Cousteau's 3D film trilogy, 2003-2008) will direct. This follows last year's announcement that 3D Entertainment Films' distribution arm had acquired the all-media distribution rights to the project, which is now scheduled for release at IMAX theatres in both 3D and 2D in the summer of 2011.

"Air Racers 3D: Forces of Flight" will put moviegoers and fans in the middle of the highly competitive action and have them soaring through the air at more than twice the speed of a NASCAR race. The film will chronicle the preparation for and competition in the world's fastest motorsport, celebrate the history of flight and explore the science of today's air racing technology, human physiology, neurology and the underlying physics that pilots depend on.

Filming Air Racers 3D  Photo Used With Permission

"This new alliance with Pretend Entertainment, Stereoscope and the Reno Air Racing Association has allowed our company to assume the leadership on the production component of 'Air Racers 3D: Forces of Flight'," said Francois Mantello, Chairman and CEO of 3D Entertainment Films. "We are highly confident that we will have the film on track for release at IMAX theatres in the US and internationally beginning next summer."

Principal photography on the film resumed last week at the 47th edition of the Reno National Championship Air Races and will continue in November when the production team will recreate certain segments of the race and shoot aerial footage from the cockpit.

File Photo

"Thanks to a unique technical set-up involving no fewer than three 3D camera rigs and an expert team of aerial photographers to maneuver them, we were able to capture the drama, sound, emotion, dangers, thrills and excitement of the race," said 3D Entertainment Films' Jean-Jacques Mantello, who has taken over the reins as director. "Audiences worldwide will discover what are unquestionably the fastest-moving machines in motorsport and see on the world's largest IMAX theatre screens what it's like to race at 500 mph a mere 50 feet off the ground." He further explained, "The script is finished and we plan to begin the 3D post-production process before Christmas both in Los Angeles and in Europe."

"Pretend Entertainment is extremely excited about this new partnership with 3D Entertainment Films. Our passion and experience producing aviation stories coupled with the Mantello Brothers' 3D filmmaking expertise ensures that this film will wow giant screen audiences around the world," said Christian Fry, co-founder of Pretend Entertainment.

FMI: www.AirRacers3D.com