Mayor Dan Sullivan will officially open a new 3-D movie theater at 2 p.m. on Friday. The Alaska Experience Theatre, in the Fourth Avenue Marketplace at 333 W. 4th Ave., has been used for a few events prior to now, notably screening films during the Anchorage International Film Festival in December. While it shares the name of the old Alaska Experience theater in a tent on Sixth Ave., the new space is a state-of-the art facility in a real building, with very comfortable, but limited, seating and a huge screen.

A press release stated:

Alaska Experience Theatre (AET). Anchorage’s RealD 3D platform is one of approximately 3,200 screens across the country. According to DreamWorks Animation, more than 40 3-D movies are currently in production with 15 new titles expected in 2010. IMAX is expected to boost its theatre capacity by 50 percent over the next year.

Anchorage’s new theatre features two 3-D features “Fly Me to the Moon” and “3-D Turtlevision” by nWave pictures. The movies will appeal to young audiences who are interested in becoming more engaged with space and taking care of the environment.

Other movies (not in 3-D), that will be shown at the theatre this summer include two new productions by Alaska Channel. “Journey to Alaska” uses some of Alaska’s original explorers to guide viewers through a look at the state’s scenic beauty and wildlife while “Northern Lights Experience” shares the mystery of the Aurora Borealis.