Phish plans to release 3-D concert film in April

The rock 'n' roll band Phish plans to release a 3-D concert film in U.S. theaters next month, following U2 and Walt Disney Co.'s "Hannah Montana" in trying to capitalize on the popularity of the format.

"Phish 3D," including footage from concerts filmed last year, was made by Action 3D Productions with Anschutz Entertainment Group's AEG Live Network, Action 3D said today in an e-mailed response to a query. The Culver City, California- based company declined to provide a specific release date.

Concert films in 3-D have yielded mixed results at the box office. Disney's "Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: The Best of Both Worlds Concert" film, released in February 2008, generated $70.6 million in worldwide ticket sales, according to researcher Box Office Mojo. "U2 3D," released three weeks earlier, took in $22.3 million.

Theater owners are rushing to expand the number of 3-D equipped cinemas to accommodate more than 16 3-D films scheduled for release this year, including Disney's "Alice in Wonderland," which opened today, according to Hollywood.com Box-Office.

The release will utilize technology from Cinedigm Digital Cinema Corp., the Morristown, New Jersey, maker of software and services for digital transmission and projection, according to the statement.

There were 3,659 screens in the U.S. and Canada equipped with 3-D projectors as of Jan. 5, according to the National Association of Theatre Owners.

"Phish 3D" follows the band during its Festival 8 concerts in Indio, California, last October, according to the statement. The band, formed in 1983, is known for shows that include improvisations in jazz, rock and bluegrass.