International
IMAX enters into expanded $200 million credit facility
MUMBAI: Canadian giant screen exhibitor IMAX Corporation said t has entered into an amended senior secured credit facility for up to $200 million with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, with the participation of Export Development Canada (EDC), the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), HSBC Canada, and the National Bank of Canada.
Wells Fargo serves as administrative agent, sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner on the transaction. The new facility replaces IMAX‘s previous $110 million facility with Wells Fargo and EDC and will permit IMAX to undertake up to $150 million in stock buybacks and dividends provided certain covenants are maintained.
IMAX intends to use proceeds from the new facility to refinance the existing revolver and for general corporate purposes, such as funding its strategic initiatives, including its continued global expansion, ongoing working capital requirements, investments and capital expenditures. The maturity date of the new credit facility is 7 February, 2018, compared with a maturity date of 31 October, 2015, for the prior credit facility.
Borrowings under the new credit facility will bear interest at the reduced spread of 1.50 per cent to 2 per cent above LIBOR, depending on maximum total leverage outstanding.
“This new facility, coupled with the recurring cash generated by our business, will provide us with enhanced flexibility as we pursue our strategic initiatives and continue the global expansion of our business,” said IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond.
International
Utopai Studios unveils 4K three-minute video generation for PAI platform
New Story Agent and editing tools aim to streamline AI-led filmmaking workflows
MUMBAI: Utopai Studios has announced a major upgrade to its PAI storytelling AI platform, introducing what it claims is an industry-first capability to generate three-minute videos in 4K resolution, alongside enhancements to its Story Agent feature.
The update, rolling out from April 15, expands the platform’s capabilities across the filmmaking process, from early concept development to post-production. The company said the new features are designed to help filmmakers maintain continuity across characters, scenes and visual styles, a key challenge in AI-driven storytelling.
At the heart of the release is a next-generation model that enables more structured narrative development, allowing creators to move more seamlessly from idea to execution. With tools such as multi-shot sequencing and multi-turn editing, the platform aims to give both studios and independent creators greater control over complex storytelling workflows.
Commenting on the launch, Utopai Studios co-founder and CTO Jie Yang said, “The next phase of AI in media will not be defined by isolated tools, but by systems that can carry story, continuity and collaboration across the full creative process.” He added that the update is a step towards enabling more practical, end-to-end narrative development at a professional level.
Echoing this, Utopai Studios co-founder and chief scientific officer Zijian He said, “Generative video is opening the door to a new production model, where creative ambition is less constrained by traditional cost and complexity.” He noted that the platform combines multimodal models with iterative editing to give creators more speed, control and consistency.
The company said PAI is already being used in professional film and television productions, particularly in Hollywood, for tasks such as pre-visualisation, scene design and post-production refinements. The latest update adds features including improved voice options, character consistency, unlimited editing and more flexible asset management.
Utopai also emphasised that its models are not trained on copyrighted material, positioning the platform as a cleaner alternative for creators and rights holders navigating the evolving AI landscape.
As AI continues to reshape content creation, Utopai’s latest push signals a shift from standalone tools to integrated systems, aiming to make high-quality filmmaking faster, more flexible and increasingly accessible.
