From multiplex leaders to emerging cinema chains, the IMAX Big Cine Awards 2026 winners share another distinction: their theatres have chosen Galalite Screens for their cinema presentation.

Mumbai, India: Excellence in cinema is measured by more than what happens on screen. It is shaped by every element that contributes to the audience experience, from projection and sound to screen performance, image uniformity and technical precision.

At the IMAX Big Cine Awards 2026, a distinguished group of Indian cinema exhibitors and theatre operators was recognised for raising the standards of theatrical presentation across the country. From leading multiplex chains to regional cinema operators and single-screen theatres, the winners represent the breadth and diversity of India’s evolving cinema exhibition landscape.

Adding another dimension to this recognition, all of the IMAX Big Cine Awards 2026-winning exhibitors featured in this year’s honours have installed Galalite Screens, bringing together award-winning cinema exhibition and screen technology engineered for high-quality projection.

Among the recognised names are PVR-INOX, Miraj Cinemas, Rakki Cinemas, E-Square, Palaxi Cinemas, Mukta A2 Bharatmata, Citypride Multiplex, Bharath Cinemas, Roongta Cinemas, Connplex Cinemas, Rajhans Cinemas, Starline Cinemas, Kelvin Gold Cinema, Ruby Movie Magic and Roopbani Cinema.

The recognition spans several categories, including India’s Top Multiplex Chain of the Year, Best Multiplex Theatre of the Year, Best Cinema Theatre in Tier-2 City, Best Single-Screen Theatre of the Year, Emerging Cinema Chain of the Year, Emerging Regional Cinema Chain of the Year, Experimental Cinema Excellence Award, Fastest Growing Cinema Chain of the Year, Most Impactful Cinema Chain of the Year and Best Debut Multiplex Chain of the Year.

For Galalite Screens, the association represents more than a list of installations. It reflects a long-standing relationship with cinema exhibitors who understand that the cinema projection screen is a critical component of the viewing experience.

“We are delighted to see so many of the IMAX Big Cine Awards 2026 winners being cinemas that have chosen Galalite Screens. For us, this is not simply a matter of recognition; it is a reflection of the trust that exhibitors place in our technology, our people and our ability to support their vision for better cinema experiences. Every theatre has its own requirements, audience profile and technical environment, and our focus has always been on developing screen solutions that deliver consistently across those different needs. These awards celebrate the exhibitors, but they also reinforce the importance of the technology partners working alongside them.”
— Yusuf Galabhaiwala, Director of Operations, Galalite Screens

Engineering the surface behind the experience

A cinema screen is often the final interface between sophisticated projection technology and the audience. The performance of the screen surface can influence brightness, uniformity, colour reproduction, viewing angles and the overall consistency of the projected image.

This is where Galalite’s focus on R&D and cinema screen technology becomes central to its proposition.

Since its establishment in 1959, Galalite has built its expertise around developing projection surfaces for changing cinema technologies. The company has pioneered developments including plastic cinema screens, invisible welding, in-house screen coating and advanced projection surfaces, while continuing to invest in research and product development.

Its latest generation of technologies is designed around the demands of modern digital cinema and increasingly sophisticated projection systems. Among these is Lensray™ Technology, which has been developed to address critical aspects of projection performance including light diffusion, image uniformity and the management of visual artefacts.

Galalite has also developed the Mirage XDL series for advanced digital and RGB laser projection environments, reflecting the company’s focus on developing cinema screen solutions alongside changes in projector technology rather than treating the screen as a standalone component.

“Projection technology has evolved dramatically, and the screen has to evolve with it. Our R&D approach starts with understanding what happens when light interacts with the screen surface and, more importantly, what the audience ultimately sees. Lensray™ Technology is part of that approach. We are looking at uniformity, light distribution, viewing conditions and compatibility with increasingly powerful projection systems to develop surfaces that perform consistently across the auditorium. The goal is not simply to create a screen with impressive specifications, but to engineer a more predictable and immersive image for the audience.”
— Siranush Whyte, General Manager, Galalite Screens

From projection technology to audience experience

The growing adoption of advanced cinema projection systems has placed greater emphasis on the relationship between the projector and the projection surface.

High-brightness digital projectors, laser illumination and evolving image formats can place new demands on screen surfaces. Issues such as hotspotting, uneven brightness and inconsistent image reproduction can become particularly noticeable when projection systems become more powerful.

Galalite’s Lensray™ Technology is designed with these challenges in mind, with an emphasis on light diffusion and screen uniformity. The company has highlighted the importance of maintaining consistent brightness and colour performance across the screen to preserve image quality from different seating positions.

This philosophy is particularly relevant to the exhibitors recognised at the IMAX Big Cine Awards 2026. Whether operating large multiplex networks, regional cinema chains or single-screen theatres, today’s exhibitors are increasingly focused on delivering a technically consistent and differentiated movie-going experience.

Galalite’s role is therefore not limited to supplying a projection surface. Its approach combines screen manufacturing, material science, coating expertise, application knowledge and R&D to create solutions suited to the requirements of modern cinema environments.

Supporting the next chapter of Indian cinema exhibition

The diversity of the IMAX Big Cine Awards 2026 winners also mirrors the changing Indian cinema market. Established multiplex operators continue to invest in premium presentation, while regional and emerging exhibitors are expanding their footprint and upgrading their theatres.

For these operators, technology is becoming an increasingly important part of differentiation.

A well-engineered cinema projection screen can contribute to the consistency and quality of the projected image, while innovations such as Lensray™ Technology and the Mirage XDL range demonstrate how screen manufacturers are responding to the industry’s transition towards more advanced projection systems.

For Galalite, being part of the infrastructure behind award-winning cinemas is a continuation of its broader objective: to help exhibitors deliver better screens, better images and ultimately better experiences.

The IMAX Big Cine Awards 2026 therefore represent more than a celebration of individual theatres and cinema chains. For Galalite Screens, they also highlight the role that cinema screen innovation and projection technology play in supporting the exhibitors shaping the future of theatrical entertainment in India.

As cinema exhibition continues to evolve, Galalite remains focused on the same principle that has driven its journey for more than six decades: invest in R&D, innovate with purpose and build screen technologies that help cinemas deliver experiences audiences remember.

About Galalite Screens

Founded in 1959, Galalite Screens is a global cinema projection screen manufacturer specialising in advanced screen technologies for digital cinema, 3D and modern laser projection environments. With production facilities in India and Poland and installations across more than 50 countries, Galalite continues to develop cinema screen solutions through research, engineering and innovation. Its technology portfolio includes Lensray™ Technology and the Mirage XDL series.