IMAX Corp and Rio de Janiero-based gaming consortium RACIMECInternational Group have signed an agreement to install three IMAX cinemasystems in Latin America.

Two systems will be installed in Santiago, Chile, and one will go in Caracas,Venezuela.

The giant-screen pioneer is now scheduled to open 26 new cinemas in LatinAmerican territories by 2008, including Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuadorand Guatemala.

In a statement, IMAX co-chief executive officers and co-chairs Richard Gelfondand Brad Wechsler pointed to the Latin American market as a significant growtharea for the company.

The latest deal comes in the wake of a record-breaking box office year forIMAX-branded and reformatted versions of Hollywood blockbusters such as HarryPotter And The Goblet Of Fire: The IMAX Experience and the re-release of The Polar Express: The IMAXExperience.