Coscient Group Launches New Large Format (IMAX) Film Production Company - Caisse de Depot Will Be its Partner.

MONTREAL--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 9, 1998--COSCIENT (ME:CST.A) (TSE:CST.A) (ME:CST.B) (TSE:CST.B) Coscient Group and Capital Communications CDPQ today announced the creation of a company that will specialize in the production of large format films (IMAX). Coscient and Capital Communications CDPQ will jointly own the new Montreal-based company. Capital Communications CDPQ has also earmarked $6 million to fund productions.

The new Coscient Group subsidiary's mission will be to produce and distribute films in IMAX format for the Canadian and international markets. Three film projects, provisionally titled Human Odyssey, Dream Time and Symbol of the North (Quand les montagnes bougent), are already in development. Symbol of the North celebrates the experience of northern Native people and the great caribou migrations. It will feature the largest herd of migratory animals of the mammalian order on earth: the caribou of Northern Quebec. The Human Odyssey film project, to be developed jointly with CDMED, a Montreal-based medical imaging firm, will take audiences on a voyage through the complex and spectacular universe of the human body. The third project, Dream Time, currently being developed with renowned multimedia artist Michel Lemieux, will explore the world of dreams in every corner of the earth.

Heading the new Coscient Group subsidiary will be Andre Picard, President and General Manager of SDA Productions. Internationally recognized as a major player in the production and exploitation of IMAX films, Mr. Picard was Executive Producer of the film Fires of Kuwait, the first IMAX production to receive an Oscar nomination, as well as Mountain Gorilla, Rolling Stones at the Max, the first feature-length IMAX concert film, and Titanica, one of the few large format films for IMAX theatres. Joining Mr. Picard in this new venture as Line Producer will be Martin Dignard, who brings a world-class resume in major productions and Steven Morris, already an old hand in the marketing and distribution of IMAX format productions who will head the distribution.

"IMAX is a growing phenomenon" says Richard Laferriere, Coscient Group's President and COO. "All over the world, the number of theatres is rapidly increasing. The large format experience is like no other, because it's closest to reality, and generates an entertainment experience you cannot find in other media. Large format films offer extraordinary possibilities that are in line with our strategy of producing and distributing high-quality content for the world marketplace."

Pierre Belanger, President of Capital Communications CPDQ, says he is "glad to take this opportunity to make an investment in a sector as promising as IMAX movies in partnership with one of the leaders of the Quebec audiovisual industry. This association gives us the opportunity to invest in intellectual property and to support the creation of innovative contents. This fits with our determination to increase our investments in the production of audio-visual material for the international marketplace."

A subsidiary of the Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec, Capital Communications CDPQ offers intelligent and dynamic capital to communications and telecommunications companies looking to consolidate their position or to enter promising markets. Its portfolio comprises 36 investments valued at over $1.2 billion.

The leading producer and independent distributor in Quebec, and third-ranking in Canada, Coscient Group is also the country's largest distributor of television programs. The Group is focusing its efforts on the development of four key niches in the world market: drama (Made-for-TV movies, series and feature films), animation, youth programming, and documentaries. The Group is also the leader in variety programming in Quebec. The Class A and Class B shares of Coscient Group are listed on the Montreal and Toronto Stock Exchanges under the ticker symbols CST.A and CST.B.

CONTACT: Coscient Group Inc.

Marie-Christine Dufour, 514/237-4083

[phone]