–News on the Croisette: Xpand announced today that it was officially chosen as the 3D digital system provider at this year’s Festival De Cannes.

The 62nd Festival de Cannes will begin its opening ceremony on May 13 with Pixar Animation Studios’ first stereoscopic 3D animated feature “Up,” which Disney opens May 29 in North America.

Xpand will supply the projection for the “Up” screening, and will have four additional 3D systems throughout the Film Festival and the Marché du Film. The 3D screenings will be integrated by XDC using Christie projectors. Presentations will use the Xpand Series 101 3D active glasses.

Xpand reported that it has exceeded more than 800 3D screens worldwide and has approximately 100 transacted deals scheduled through June 2009.

“Up” looks poised to be another hit for Pixar. A 47 minute “Up” preview was screened last month at Showest and received very favorable feedback.

–UK theme park Legoland Windsor and RealD have partnered to upgrade the park’s Imagination Theatre with RealD 3D technology. This marks RealD’s first installation in a European theme park and the second partnership between RealD and Legoland (RealD is installed at Legoland California).

The Imagination Theatre 4D presentations “Spellbreaker 4D” and “Bob the Builder in 4D”  are slated to combine digital 3D with environmental elements, such as wind and water.