In a projection exposure apparatus wherein a stage is moved in the direction of optic axis when a mask formed with a predetermined pattern is projected by a shutter onto a photosensitive substrate placed on the stage through a projection optical system, the operations of control means for the shutter and control means for the stage are interlocked with each other on the basis of the operational characteristic of the shutter and the operational characteristics (particularly the speed characteristic) of the stage so that the distribution of the existence probability with respect to movement of the photosensitive substrate from the opening operation starting point of time till the closing operation completing point of time of the shutter, with respect to the direction of the optic axis, may assume substantially equal maximum values at at least two locations in the direction of the optic axis.