“Sinners” trailer released: Shot with IMAX film cameras by cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw

Finally a “Film With IMAX” film. This is the first for 2024 (and 2025). The trailer for the film Sinners has been released. The film was shot by cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw, ASC, on IMAX 9802 and Panavision System 65 (a pure shot on film film).

Sinners is an upcoming American horror film written and directed by Ryan Coogler. The film stars Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Benson Miller and Delroy Lindo. Coogler began developing the film genre through his production company Proximity Media in January 2024, when Jordan was cast. Warner Bros. Pictures acquired distribution rights the following month after a bidding war, and additional roles were cast in April, before filming began that month. Filming was completed in July 2024. Check out the IMAX trailer below:

Principal photography on Sinners began in April 2024 in New Orleans, with Autumn Durald Arkapaw ASC (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever) serving as cinematographer. Filming took place under the working title Grilled Cheese. Filming was completed in July 2024. According to IMDB Tech Spec, here are the cameras (and lenses) used to film Sinners:

• Cameras: IMAX MSM 9802, Canon EF 1200mm UDM lenses, Panavision Panaflex System 65 Studio, Panavision APO Panatar lenses
• Negative format: 65 mm (also horizontal, Kodak Vision3 500T 5219)

Therefore the aspect ratio is: 1.43:1 (IMAX 70MM & GT Dual Laser: some scenes) 1.90:1 (Digital IMAX: some scenes) 2.76:1. Unfortunately, the trailer does not show the extended aspect ratio for now (even on the trailer released by IMAX), which is a bit strange. In any case, according to the sources, this film will be a mix of ultra-wide angle (2.76:1) and full-frame IMAX (1.43:1).

Sinners is scheduled to hit theaters in the US on March 7, 2025. This makes it the first IMAX film to be shot with real IMAX film cameras. It appears that there will be a significant decline in the number of projects using 15-perforation celluloid in 2024-2025. We don’t know the main reasons for this. Maybe it’s because the AI ​​technology implemented by IMAX allows for more digital options and doesn’t require the hassle of operating a beast like MSM 9802. Will the next generation of IMAX film cameras make this possible?