DreamWorks' animated film Shrek is set to be released in Imax 3D, the first full-length animated feature to be released in the format as Walt Disney's Fantasia 2000, which opened in January, was shown on 2D.

The Shrek 3D release is set for December 2001 to coincide with DreamWorks' home video release of the film. The releases will be cross-marketed for maximum impact. The conventional 35mm theatrical version is set for release on May 18, 2001.

Shrek, the story of an ogre driven from his swamp by pesky fairytale neighbours, features the voices of Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy, John Lithgow and Linda Hunt. In a release, DreamWorks co-principal Jeffrey Katzenberg said: "We have a cast that is already big - but it just got a whole lot bigger."

Imax spokesperson Al Newman told Screendaily: "It will be a day-and-date release; it's too early to say where it will be booked but it will be as broad as possible, depending on theatre availability."

There are more than 80 Imax 3D cinemas worldwide; a further 71 3D screens are slated to open in coming years. Newman said it's likely that some of those will be operational by the time Shrek is released.

The Imax 3D film CyberWorld, a compilation film of material adapted into 3D including segments from DreamWorks' Antz and Fox's The Simpsons, will be released this autumn.