IMAX Corporationand leading Turkish exhibitor AFM Cinemas have struck a deal to open the firstIMAX theatre in Istanbul.

An IMAX MPXtheatre system will be retrofitted at the eight-screen AFM Maltepe multiplexlater this month and is expected to open in early July.

The launch ispart of a previously announced deal with Kultur Ve Gosteri MerkezleriIsletmecilik Ve Ticaret, an exhibitor that will join with AFM Cinemas pendingfinal government approval.

"AFM Cinemas hasbeen at the forefront of the cinema business in Turkey for 40 years, and as thefirst to offer Hollywood movies in IMAX's unparalleled format, we continue toreinforce our leadership position," AFM Cinemas chief executive officer MehmetAltioklar said.