Bradford cinema-goers are experiencing the next instalment of the Star Trek franchise, bigger, bolder and better in IMAX 3D.

A special midnight screening of Star Trek Into Darkness took place at the National Media Museum early today – six days before the film opens in the US and begins a run lasting nearly a month.

The film features almost 30 minutes of specially-filmed IMAX footage, which expands to fill the entire screen.

Dick Vaughan, IMAX theatre manager at the museum said: “Not only is it going to be one of the most exciting additions to the Star Trek franchise, but with the biggest IMAX screen in Yorkshire, cinema-goers will be immersed in the full IMAX 3D experience of this action-packed film.”

The IMAX format requires specialised set-up from the projectionists, with a lot of film to deal with and a limited time for test runs.

There are approximately 80 film reels in Star Trek Into Darkness and it took around 18 hours for the projectionists to put it all together.

Star Trek Into Darkness centres on Captain Kirk’s struggles and sacrifices in the wake of a devastating act of terror from within his organisation.

With a personal score to settle, Kirk leads a manhunt into a war-zone, testing the bonds of love and friendship amongst the entire crew of The Enterprise.

The movie stars Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto, and British actors Simon Pegg, returning as Scotty, Benedict Cumberbatch and Alice Eve.