Edgar Filing: IMAX CORP

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller reporting Company

FORM 10-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

Form 10-K

(Mark One)

þ	ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011

¨	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission file Number 001-35066

IMAX Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Canada		98-0140269
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

2525 Speakman Drive, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada		L5K 1B1
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Postal Code)

(905) 403-6500

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


Title of Each Class		Name of Exchange on Which Registered
Common Shares, no par value		The New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

(Title of class)

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes þ No ¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨ No þ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes þ No ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. þ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell Company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ¨ No þ

The aggregate market value of the common shares of the registrant held by non-affiliates of the registrant, computed by reference to the last sale price of such shares as of the close of trading on June 30, 2011 was $1,788.9 million (55,160,370 common shares times $32.43).

As of January 31, 2012, there were 65,324,925 common shares of the registrant outstanding.

Document Incorporated by Reference

Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement to be filed within 120 days of the close of IMAX Corporation’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A involving the election of directors and the annual meeting of the stockholders of the registrant (the “Proxy Statement”) are incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K to the extent described therein.

IMAX CORPORATION

December 31, 2011

Table of Contents


		Page
	PART I

Item 1.	Business		4
Item 1A.	Risk Factors		20
Item 1B.	Unresolved Staff Comments		28
Item 2.	Properties		29
Item 3.	Legal Proceedings		29
Item 4.	Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders		32

	PART II
Item 5.	Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities		33
Item 6.	Selected Financial Data		37
Item 7.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		40
Item 7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk		80
Item 8.	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data		83
Item 9.	Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure		145
Item 9A.	Controls and Procedures		145
Item 9B.	Other Information		146

	PART III
Item 10.	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance		147
Item 11.	Executive Compensation		147
Item 12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters		147
Item 13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence		147
Item 14.	Principal Accounting Fees and Services		147

	PART IV
Item 15.	Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules		148
Signatures			151

IMAX CORPORATION

EXCHANGE RATE DATA

Unless otherwise indicated, all dollar amounts in this document are expressed in United States (“U.S.”) dollars. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain exchange rates based on the noon buying rate in the City of New York for cable transfers in foreign currencies as certified for customs purposes by the Bank of Canada (the “Noon Buying Rate”). Such rates quoted are the number of U.S. dollars per one Canadian dollar and are the inverse of rates quoted by the Bank of Canada for Canadian dollars per U.S. $1.00. The average exchange rate is based on the average of the exchange rates on the last day of each month during such periods. The Noon Buying Rate on December 31, 2011 was U.S. $0.9833.


	Years Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009		2008		2007
Exchange rate at end of period		0.9833		1.0054		0.9555		0.8170		1.0120
Average exchange rate during period		1.0151		0.9709		0.8757		0.9381		0.9425
High exchange rate during period		1.0583		1.0054		0.9716		1.0291		1.0908
Low exchange rate during period		0.9430		0.9278		0.7692		0.7710		0.8437

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

Certain statements included in this annual report may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, references to future capital expenditures (including the amount and nature thereof), business and technology strategies and measures to implement strategies, competitive strengths, goals, expansion and growth of business, operations and technology, plans and references to the future success of IMAX Corporation together with its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “Company”) and expectations regarding the Company’s future operating, financial and technological results. These forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will conform with the expectations and predictions of the Company is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, general economic, market or business conditions; including the length and severity of the current economic downturn, the opportunities (or lack thereof) that may be presented to and pursued by the Company; the performance of IMAX DMR films; competitive actions by other companies; conditions in the in-home and out-of-home entertainment industries; the signing of theater system agreements; changes in laws or regulations; conditions, changes and developments in the commercial exhibition industry; the failure to convert theater system backlog into revenue; the failure to respond to change and advancements in digital technology; risks related to new business initiatives; risks associated with investments and operations in foreign jurisdictions and any future international expansion, including those related to economic, political and regulatory policies of local governments and laws and policies of the United States and Canada; the potential impact of increased competition in the markets within which the Company operates; risks related to the Company’s inability to protect the Company’s intellectual property; risks related to foreign currency transactions; risks related to the Company’s prior restatements and the related litigation; and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this annual report are qualified by these cautionary statements, and actual results or anticipated developments by the Company may not be realized, and even if substantially realized, may not have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

IMAX^®, IMAX^® Dome, IMAX^® 3D, IMAX^® 3D Dome, Experience It In IMAX^®, The IMAX Experience^®, An IMAX Experience^®, An IMAX 3D Experience^®, IMAX DMR^®, DMR^®, IMAX think big^® and think big^® are trademarks and trade names of the Company or its subsidiaries that are registered or otherwise protected under laws of various jurisdictions.

PART I

Item 1.

Business

GENERAL

IMAX Corporation, together with its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “Company”), is one of the world’s leading entertainment technology companies, specializing in motion picture technologies and presentations. The Company’s principal business is the design and manufacture of premium theater systems (“IMAX theater systems”) and the sale, lease or contribution to customers under revenue-sharing arrangements of IMAX theater systems. The IMAX theater systems are based on proprietary and patented technology developed over the course of the Company’s 44-year history. The Company’s customers who purchase, lease or otherwise acquire the IMAX theater systems are theater exhibitors that operate commercial theaters (particularly multiplexes), museums, science centers, or destination entertainment sites. The Company generally does not own IMAX theaters, but licenses the use of its trademarks along with the sale, lease or contribution of its equipment. The Company refers to all theaters using the IMAX theater system as “IMAX theaters.”

IMAX theater systems combine: (i) IMAX DMR (Digital Re-Mastering) movie conversion technology, which results in higher image and sound fidelity than conventional cinema experiences; (ii) advanced, high-resolution projectors with specialized equipment and automated theater control systems, which result in significantly more contrast and brightness than conventional theater systems; (iii) sound system components, which result in more expansive sound imagery and pinpointed origination of sound to any specific spot in an IMAX theater; (iv) large screens and proprietary theater geometry, which result in a substantially larger field of view so that the screen extends to the edge of a viewer’s peripheral vision and creates more realistic images; and (v) specialized theater acoustics, which results in a four-fold reduction in background noise. The combination of these components causes audiences in IMAX theaters to feel as if they are a part of the on-screen action, creating a more intense, immersive and exciting experience than in a traditional theater. In addition, the Company’s IMAX 3D theater systems combine the same theater systems with 3D images that further enhance the audience’s feeling of being immersed in the film.

As a result of the immersiveness and superior image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience, the Company’s exhibitor customers typically charge a premium for IMAX DMR films over films exhibited in their conventional auditoriums. The premium pricing, combined with the higher attendance levels associated with IMAX films, generates incremental box office for the Company’s exhibitor customers and for the movie studios releasing their films to the IMAX network. The incremental box office generated by IMAX DMR films has helped establish IMAX as a key premium distribution platform for Hollywood blockbuster films, which is separate and distinct from their wider theatrical release. For example, in December 2011, Mission: Impossible—Ghost Protocol: The IMAX Experience, not only featured 30 minutes of footage shot with IMAX cameras, but it was also released 5 days earlier in North America than its wide release to conventional theaters.

In addition to the design and manufacture of premium theater systems, the Company is also engaged in the conversion of two-dimensional (“2D”) and three-dimensional (“3D”) Hollywood feature films for exhibition on IMAX theater systems around the world, the production and distribution of original large-format films, the provision of services in support of the IMAX theater network, the provision of post-production services for large-format films and the operation of four IMAX theaters.

The Company believes the IMAX theater network is the most extensive premium theater network in the world with 634 theater systems (517 commercial, 117 institutional) operating in 50 countries as at December 31, 2011. This compares to 518 theater systems (396 commercial, 122 institutional) operating in 46 countries as at December 31, 2010. The success of the Company’s digital and joint revenue sharing strategies and the strength of its film slate has enabled the Company’s theater network to expand significantly since it introduced its digital projection system in 2008, with the Company’s overall network increasing by 80.6% and the Company’s commercial network increasing by 123.8%. In each of 2010 and 2011, the Company signed theater agreements for over 200 theater systems, which is expected to drive additional growth in 2012 and thereafter.

The Company believes that over time its commercial theater network could grow to more than 1,500 theaters worldwide from 517 commercial IMAX theaters operating as of December 31, 2011. While the Company continues to grow domestically, particularly in small to mid-tier markets, it believes that much of its future growth will come from underpenetrated, international markets. In 2011, over 70.0% of theater signings came from outside the United States and Canada. Key international growth markets include Greater China, Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States, Western Europe and Latin America.

During 2011, the Company formed IMAX (Shanghai) Multimedia Technology Co., Ltd. (“IMAX China”), a wholly-owned subsidiary, to enable further growth in Greater China (includes China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau), the Company’s second-largest and fastest-growing market. The Company believes that favorable market trends in China, including government initiatives to foster cinema screen growth and to support the film industry, present opportunities for significant additional growth. In March 2011, the Company announced a 75-theater joint revenue sharing arrangement with Wanda Cinema Line, China’s largest cinema chain. (“Wanda”). This agreement with Wanda, which represents IMAX’s first full revenue-sharing arrangement in China and its largest single international joint revenue sharing arrangement to date, brings the total number of IMAX theaters open or in backlog in Greater China to 212. In September 2011, the Company announced the appointment of Jiande Chen to the position of Chief Executive Officer of IMAX China. As at December 31, 2011, IMAX China had offices in Shanghai and Beijing and had 29 employees. On February 18, 2012, the U.S. and China announced an agreement to allow 14 additional IMAX or 3D format Hollywood films to be released in China, with distributors permitted to receive higher distribution fees. The Company believes this is an extremely positive development for its business in China and elsewhere.

Over the years, several technological breakthroughs have established IMAX as an important distribution platform for Hollywood’s biggest event films. These include:

•

DMR—IMAX’s proprietary DMR technology digitally converts live-action 35mm or digital films to its large-format, while meeting the Company’s high standards of image and sound quality. In a typical IMAX DMR film arrangement, the Company will receive a percentage of net box-office receipts of the film, which generally range from 10-15%, from a film studio for conversion of the film to the IMAX DMR format and for access to the IMAX distribution platform. At December 31, 2011, the Company had released 84 IMAX DMR films since the introduction of IMAX DMR in 2002. As digital technology has been introduced to the DMR process and improvements have been made in conversion time, the number of films released on an annual basis that have converted through the DMR process has increased as well. Accordingly, 25 films converted through the IMAX DMR process were released in 2011, as compared to 15 in 2010 and 4 in 2005.

•

IMAX Digital Projection System—The Company introduced its digital projection system in 2008. Prior to 2008, all of IMAX’s large format projectors were film-based and required analog film prints. The IMAX digital projection system, which operates without the need for such film prints, was designed specifically for use by commercial multiplex operators and allows operators to reduce the capital and operating costs required to run an IMAX theater without sacrificing the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience. By making The IMAX Experience more accessible for commercial multiplex operators, the introduction of the IMAX digital projection system paved the way for several important joint revenue sharing arrangements which have allowed the Company to rapidly expand its theater network. Since announcing that the Company was developing digital projection technology, the vast majority of the Company’s theater system signings have been for digital systems. As at December 31, 2011, the Company has signed agreements for 700 digital systems since 2007 (including the upgrade of film-based systems), 208 of which were signed in 2011 alone. As at December 31, 2011, 443 IMAX digital projection systems were in operation, an increase of 60.5% over the 276 digital projection systems in operation as at December 31, 2010.

The Company strives to remain at the forefront of advancements in cinema technology. Accordingly, one of the Company’s key initiatives for 2012 is the development of a next-generation laser-based digital projection system. On October 17, 2011, the Company announced the completion of a deal in which it secured certain exclusive license rights to a portfolio of intellectual property in the digital cinema field owned by the Eastman Kodak Company (“Kodak”). The transaction involves rights to technology related to laser projection as well as rights in the digital cinema field to a broader range of Kodak technology. On February 7, 2012, the Company announced an agreement with Barco to co-develop a laser-based digital projection system that incorporates Kodak technology. The Company believes that these arrangements with Kodak and Barco will enable IMAX theaters to present greater brightness and clarity, a wider color gamut and deeper blacks, and consume less power and last longer than existing digital technology. The Company believes that a laser projection solution, which it plans to introduce in 2013, will allow IMAX’s network to show the highest quality digital content available. During 2012, the Company also intends to re-invest in its brand with its consumer brand marketing campaign that will encompass social media, in-theater marketing and Internet advertising. Finally, the Company remains focused on growing its theater network, particularly, in key international territories such as Greater China, India, Central and South America and Western Europe.

On January 31, 2011, the Company provided notice to the NASDAQ Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”) that the Company intended to voluntarily delist its common shares, without par value, from NASDAQ and intended to subsequently list such common shares on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). Trading commenced on the NYSE on February 11, 2011 under the Company’s current trading symbol, “IMAX.” The Company’s common shares continued to trade on NASDAQ until the transfer of listing to the NYSE was completed. The trading of the Company’s common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”), under the ticker symbol “IMX” remains unchanged.

IMAX Corporation, a Canadian corporation, was formed in March 1994 as a result of an amalgamation between WGIM Acquisition Corp. and the former IMAX Corporation (“Predecessor IMAX”). Predecessor IMAX was incorporated in 1967.

PRODUCT LINES

The Company is the pioneer and leader in the large-format film industry. The Company believes it is the world’s largest designer and manufacturer of specialty projection and sound system components for large-format theaters around the world, as well as a significant producer and distributor of large-format films. The Company’s theater systems include specialized IMAX projectors, advanced sound systems and specialty screens. The Company derives its revenues from: IMAX theater systems (the sale and lease of, and provision of services related to, its theater systems); films (production and digital re-mastering of films, the distribution of film products to the IMAX theater network, post-production services for films); joint revenue sharing arrangements (the provision of its theater system to an exhibitor in exchange for a certain percentage of theater revenue); theater system maintenance (the use of maintenance services related to its theater systems); and other activities, which include theater operations (owning equipment, operating, managing or participating in the revenues of IMAX theaters), and the sale of after market parts and camera rentals. Segmented information is provided in note 19 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements in Item 8.

IMAX Systems, Theater System Maintenance and Joint Revenue Sharing Arrangements

The Company’s primary products are its theater systems. The Company’s digital projection systems include a projector that offers superior image quality and stability and a digital theater control system; a 6-channel, digital audio system delivering up to 12,000 watts of sound; a screen with a proprietary coating technology; and, if applicable, 3D glasses cleaning equipment. IMAX’s digital projection system also operates without the need for analog film prints. Traditional IMAX film-based theater systems contain the same components as the digital projection systems but include a rolling loop 15/70-format projector and require the use of analog film prints. Since its introduction in 2008, the majority of the Company’s theater sales have been digital systems and the

Company expects a majority of its future theater systems sales will continue to be IMAX digital systems. Furthermore, a majority of the Company’s film-based theater systems have been upgraded, at a cost to the exhibitor, to an IMAX digital system. As part of the arrangement to sell or lease its theater systems, the Company provides extensive advice on theater planning and design and supervision of installation services. Theater systems are also leased or sold with a license for the use of the world-famous IMAX brand. Historically, IMAX theater systems come in five configurations:

•

the GT projection systems, film-based theater systems for the largest IMAX theaters;

•

the SR systems, film-based theater systems for smaller theaters than the GT systems;

•

the IMAX MPX systems, which are film-based systems targeted for multiplex theaters (“MPX” theater systems);

•

the IMAX digital systems, which are digital-based systems and which are accordingly targeted for multiplex theaters; and

•

theater systems featuring heavily curved and tilted screens that are used in dome shaped theaters.

The GT, SR, IMAX MPX and IMAX digital systems are “flat” screens that have a minimum of curvature and tilt and can exhibit both 2D and 3D films, while the screen components in dome shaped theaters are 2D only and are popular with the Company’s institutional clients. All IMAX theaters, with the exception of dome configurations, feature a steeply inclined floor to provide each audience member with a clear view of the screen. The Company holds patents on the geometrical design of IMAX theaters.

The Company’s film-based projectors use the largest commercially available film format (15-perforation film frame, 70mm), which is nearly 10 times larger than conventional film (4-perforation film frame, 35mm) and therefore are able to project significantly more detail on a larger screen. The Company believes these projectors, which utilize the Company’s rolling loop technology, are unsurpassed in their ability to project film with maximum steadiness and clarity with minimal film wear, while substantially enhancing the quality of the projected image. As a result, the Company’s projectors deliver a higher level of clarity and detail as compared to conventional movies and competing projectors.

In order to compete and evolve with the market, the Company’s digital projection system provides a premium and differentiated experience to moviegoers that is consistent with what they have come to expect from the IMAX brand. The shift from a film-based projection system to a digital projection system for a large portion of the Company’s customer base has been compelling for a number of reasons. The savings to the studios as a result of eliminating film prints are considerable, as the typical cost of an IMAX film print ranges from $20 thousand per 2D print to $45 thousand per 3D print whereas a digital file delivery totals approximately $200 per movie per system. Removing those costs significantly increases the profit of an IMAX release for a studio which, the Company believes, has provided more incentive for studios to release their films to IMAX theaters. The Company similarly believes that economics change favorably for its exhibition clients since the costs associated with installing and operating an IMAX digital system are lower than those for a film-based system, and digital delivery provides increased programming flexibility that allows theaters to program significantly more IMAX DMR films per year, thereby increasing customer choice and potentially increasing total box-office revenue. In 2011, 25 films converted through the IMAX DMR process were released to the IMAX theater network as compared to 15 in 2010 and 4 films in 2005. To date, the Company has contracted for the release of 16 DMR films to its theater network in 2012 and expects a similar number of films to be released to the network as in 2011. Digital projectors also typically require lower installation costs for exhibitors and potentially allow for the opportunity to show attractive alternate programming, such as live sporting events and concerts, in the immersive environment of an IMAX theater. Digital systems represent 97.7% of the Company’s current backlog and 69.9% of the Company’s theater network. The Company continues to expect the vast majority of its future theater system arrangements to be for digital systems.

To complement its viewing experience, the Company provides digital sound system components which are specifically designed for IMAX theaters. These components are among the most advanced in the industry and help to heighten the realistic feeling of an IMAX presentation, thereby providing IMAX theater systems with an important competitive edge over other theater systems. The Company believes it is a world leader in the design and manufacture of digital sound system components for applications including traditional movie theaters, auditoriums and IMAX theaters.

The Company’s arrangements for theater system equipment involve either a lease or sale. As part of the purchase or lease of an IMAX theater system, the Company also advises the customer on theater design, supervises the installation of the theater systems and provides projectionists with training in using the equipment. The supervision of installation requires that the equipment also be put through a complete functional start-up and test procedure to ensure proper operation. Theater owners or operators are responsible for providing the theater location, the design and construction of the theater building, the installation of the system components and any other necessary improvements, as well as the theater’s marketing and programming. The Company’s typical arrangement also includes the trademark license rights which commence on execution of the agreement with terms generally of 10 to 20 years that may be renewed. The theater system equipment components (including the projector, sound system, screen system, and, if applicable, 3D glasses cleaning machine), theater design support, supervision of installation, projectionist training and trademark rights are all elements of what the Company considers the system deliverable (the “System Deliverable”). For a separate fee, the Company provides ongoing maintenance and extended warranty services for the theater system. The Company’s contracts are generally denominated in U.S. dollars, except in Canada, China, Japan and parts of Europe, where contracts are sometimes denominated in local currency.

The Company offers certain commercial clients joint revenue sharing arrangements, pursuant to which the Company provides the System Deliverable in return for a portion of the customer’s IMAX box-office receipts, concession revenue, and in some cases, a small upfront or initial payment. Under these revenue sharing arrangements, the Company retains title to the theater system (including the projector, the sound system and the projection screen) and rent payments are contingent, instead of fixed or determinable. The Company has the right to remove the equipment for non-payment or other defaults by the customer. The contracts are generally non-cancellable by the customer unless the Company fails to perform its obligations. In rare cases, the contract provides certain performance thresholds that, if not met by either party, allows the other party to terminate the agreement. Joint revenue sharing arrangements generally have a 7 to 10-year initial term and may be renewed by the customer for an additional term. By offering arrangements whereby exhibitors do not need to invest the significant initial capital required in a lease or a sale arrangement, the Company has been able to expand its theater network at a significantly faster pace than it had previously. As at December 31, 2011, the Company has entered into joint revenue sharing arrangements for 376 systems with 22 partners, 257 of which were in operation as at December 31, 2011.

Leases, other than joint revenue sharing arrangements, generally have a 10 year initial term and are typically renewable by the customer for one or more additional 5 to 10-year terms. Under the terms of the typical lease agreement, the title to the theater system equipment (including the projector, the sound system and the projection screen) remains with the Company. The Company has the right to remove the equipment for non-payment or other defaults by the customer. The contracts are generally not cancelable by the customer unless the Company fails to perform its obligations.

The Company also enters into sale agreements with its customers. Under a sales agreement, the title to the theater system remains with the customer. In certain instances, however, the Company retains title or a security interest in the equipment until the customer has made all payments required under the agreement.

The typical lease or sales arrangement provides for three major sources of cash flows for the Company: (i) initial fees; (ii) ongoing minimum fixed and contingent fees; and (iii) ongoing maintenance and extended warranty fees. Initial fees generally are received over the period of time from the date the arrangement is executed to the date the equipment is installed and customer acceptance has been received. However, in certain cases, the payments of the initial fee may be scheduled over a period of time after the equipment is installed and

customer acceptance has been received. Ongoing minimum fixed and contingent fees and ongoing maintenance and extended warranty fees are generally received over the life of the arrangement and are usually adjusted annually based on changes in the local consumer price index. The ongoing minimum fixed and contingent fees generally provide for a fee which is the greater of a fixed amount or a certain percentage of the theater box-office. The terms of each arrangement vary according to the configuration of the theater system provided, the cinema market and the film distribution market relevant to the geographic location of the customer.

Sales Backlog. Signed contracts for theater systems are listed as sales backlog prior to the time of revenue recognition. The value of sales backlog represents the total value of all signed theater system agreements that are expected to be recognized as revenue in the future. Sales backlog includes initial fees along with the estimated present value of contractual fixed minimum fees due over the term, but excludes contingent fees in excess of contractual minimums and maintenance and extended warranty fees that might be received in the future.

The Company’s sales backlog is as follows:


	December 31, 2011					December 31, 2010
	Number of Systems			Dollar Value *(in thousands)*		Number of Systems			Dollar Value *(in thousands)*
Sales and sales-type lease arrangements		144	⁽¹⁾	$	176,184		165	⁽¹⁾	$	179,231	⁽³⁾
Joint revenue sharing arrangements		119			21,516		59			n/a

		263	⁽²⁾	$	197,700		224	⁽²⁾	$	179,231

(1)	Includes 10 upgrades from film-based IMAX theater systems to IMAX digital theater systems as at December 31, 2011, and 25 upgrades from film-based IMAX theater systems to IMAX digital theater systems as at December 31, 2010.

(2)	Reflects the minimum number of theaters arising from signed contracts in backlog.

(3)	Dollar value incorporates revisions based on contracts renegotiated subsequent to December 31, 2010.

The value of the sales backlog does not include revenues from theaters in which the Company has an equity-interest, agreements covered by letters of intent or long-term conditional sale or lease commitments, though the number of systems contracted for under these arrangements is included.

The following chart shows the number of the Company’s theater systems by configuration, opened theater network base and backlog as at December 31:


	2011						2010
	Theater Network Base			Backlog			Theater Network Base			Backlog
Flat Screen (2D)		26			—			30	⁽²⁾		—
Dome Screen (2D)		60			—			66			—
IMAX 3D Dome (3D)		2			—			3			—
IMAX 3D GT (3D)		69	⁽¹⁾		2			80	⁽²⁾		2
IMAX 3D SR (3D)		28	⁽¹⁾		1			44	⁽²⁾		1
IMAX MPX (3D)		6	⁽¹⁾		3			19	⁽²⁾		4
IMAX digital (3D)		443	⁽¹⁾		257	⁽³⁾		276	⁽²⁾		217	⁽³⁾

Total		634			263			518			224

(1)	In 2011, the Company upgraded 33 film-based IMAX theater systems across various categories to IMAX digital theater systems (all sales arrangements).

(2)	In 2010, the Company upgraded 32 film-based IMAX theater systems across various categories to IMAX digital theater systems (30 sales arrangements and 2 joint revenue sharing arrangements).

(3)	Includes 119 and 59 theater systems as at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, under joint revenue sharing arrangements.

IMAX Flat Screen and IMAX Dome Systems. IMAX flat screen and IMAX Dome systems comprise 88 of the Company’s opened theater base and primarily reside in institutions such as museums and science centers. Flat screen IMAX theaters were introduced in 1970, while IMAX Dome theaters, which are designed for tilted dome screens, were introduced in 1973. There have been several significant proprietary and patented enhancements to these systems since their introduction.

IMAX 3D GT and IMAX 3D SR Systems. IMAX 3D theaters utilize a flat screen 3D system, which produces realistic 3D images on an IMAX screen. The Company believes that the IMAX 3D theater systems offer consumers one of the most realistic 3D experiences available today. To create the 3D effect, the audience uses either polarized or electronic glasses that separate the left-eye and right-eye images. The IMAX 3D projectors can project both 2D and 3D films, allowing theater owners the flexibility to exhibit either type of film.

In 1997, the Company launched a smaller IMAX 3D system called IMAX 3D SR, a patented theater system configuration that combines a proprietary theater design, a more automated projector and specialized sound system components to replicate the experience of a larger IMAX 3D theater in a smaller space.

As at December 31, 2011, there were 97 IMAX 3D GT and IMAX 3D SR theaters in operation compared to 124 IMAX 3D GT and IMAX 3D SR theaters in operation as at December 31, 2010. The decrease in the number of 3D GT and 3D SR systems is largely attributable to the conversion of existing 3D GT and 3D SR systems to IMAX digital systems.

IMAX MPX. In 2003, the Company launched a large-format theater system designed specifically for use in multiplex theaters. Known as IMAX MPX, this system had lower capital and operating costs than other IMAX systems and was intended to improve a multiplex owner’s financial returns and to allow for the installation of IMAX theater systems in markets that might previously not have been able to support one. As at December 31, 2011, there were 6 MPX systems in operation compared to 19 MPX systems as at December 31, 2010. The IMAX digital system has supplanted the MPX system as the Company’s multiplex product. The decrease in the number of MPX systems is largely attributable to the upgrade of existing MPX systems to IMAX digital systems.

IMAX Digital. In July 2008, the Company introduced a proprietary IMAX digital projection system that it believes delivers higher quality imagery compared with other digital systems and that is consistent with the Company’s brand. As at December 31, 2011, the Company had installed 443 digital theater systems, including 92 digital upgrades, and has an additional 257 digital systems in its backlog. Digital theater systems represent 97.7% of the total backlog and 69.9% of the total theater network, and the Company expects a majority of its future theater system arrangements to be for digital systems. Moreover, the Company believes that some of the film-based systems currently in its backlog, particularly uninstalled MPX systems, will ultimately become digital installations.

Films

Film Production and Digital Re-mastering (IMAX DMR)

In 2002, the Company developed technology that makes it possible for live-action film footage to be digitally transformed into IMAX’s large-format at a cost of roughly $1.0 million per film. This proprietary system, known as IMAX DMR, has opened up the IMAX theater network to film releases from Hollywood’s

broad library of films. In a typical IMAX DMR film arrangement, the Company will receive a percentage of net box-office receipts of the film, which generally range from 10-15%, from a film studio for the conversion of the film to the IMAX DMR format and access to its premium distribution platform. The box-office performance of IMAX DMR releases has positioned IMAX theaters as a key premium distribution platform for Hollywood films, which is separate and distinct from their wider theatrical release. For example, in December 2011, Mission: Impossible—Ghost Protocol: The IMAX Experience, not only featured 30 minutes of footage shot with IMAX cameras, but it was also released 5 days earlier in North America than it’s wide release to conventional theaters. IMAX theaters therefore serve as an additional distribution platform for Hollywood films, just as home video and pay-per-view are ancillary distribution platforms. The Company may also have certain distribution rights to the films produced using its IMAX DMR technology.

The IMAX DMR process involves the following:

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in certain instances, scanning, at the highest possible resolution, each individual frame of the movie and converting it into a digital image;

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optimizing the image using proprietary image enhancement tools;

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enhancing the digital image using techniques such as sharpening, color correction, grain and noise removal and the elimination of unsteadiness and removal of unwanted artifacts;

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recording the enhanced digital image onto IMAX 15/70-format film or IMAX digital cinema package (“DCP”) format; and

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specially re-mastering the sound track to take full advantage of the IMAX theater’s unique sound system.

The first IMAX DMR film, Apollo 13: The IMAX Experience, produced in conjunction with Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment, was released in September 2002 to 48 IMAX theaters. One of the more recent IMAX DMR films, Mission: Impossible—Ghost Protocol: The IMAX Experience was released to 503 IMAX theaters. Since the release of Apollo 13: The IMAX Experience, an additional 83 IMAX DMR films have been released to the IMAX theater network as at December 31, 2011.

The highly automated IMAX DMR process typically allows the re-mastering process to meet aggressive film production schedules. The Company is continuing to decrease the length of time it takes to reformat a film with its IMAX DMR technology. Apollo 13: The IMAX Experience, released in September 2002, was re-mastered in 16 weeks, while Thor: An IMAX 3D Experience, released in May 2011, was re-mastered in less than one week. The IMAX DMR conversion of simultaneous, or “day-and-date” releases are done in parallel with the movie’s filming and editing, which is necessary for the simultaneous release of an IMAX DMR film with the domestic release to conventional theaters.

An IMAX film can also benefit from enhancements made by individual filmmakers exclusively for the IMAX release, including by using IMAX cameras in select scenes to further enhance the audience’s immersion in the film. Filmmakers such as Christopher Nolan and Michael Bay have used IMAX cameras to film select scenes in their films The Dark Knight: The IMAX Experience and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: The IMAX Experience. Most recently, filmmaker Brad Bird used IMAX cameras to film certain sequences in Mission: Impossible—Ghost Protocol: The IMAX Experience, released in December 2011. Mr. Nolan is also using IMAX cameras to film sequences in his upcoming film, The Dark Knight Rises: The IMAX Experience, set for release in July 2012.

For IMAX DMR releases, the original soundtrack of the movie is re-mastered for the IMAX five or six-channel digital sound systems. Unlike the soundtracks played in conventional theaters, IMAX re-mastered soundtracks are uncompressed and full fidelity. IMAX sound systems use proprietary loudspeaker systems and proprietary surround sound configurations that ensure every theater seat is in a good listening position.

In 2011, 25 films were converted through the IMAX DMR process and released to IMAX theaters by film studios as compared to 15 films in 2010. These films were:

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The Green Hornet: An IMAX 3D Experience (Sony Pictures Entertainment, January 2011);

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Tangled: An IMAX 3D Experience (Walt Disney Pictures, February 2011, released in select Asian markets on respective regional release dates);

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Sanctum: An IMAX 3D Experience (Universal Pictures, February 2011);

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I Am Number Four: The IMAX Experience (DreamWorks Studios, February 2011);

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Mars Needs Moms: An IMAX 3D Experience (Walt Disney Studios, March 2011);

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Sucker Punch: The IMAX Experience (Warner Bros., March 2011);

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Fast Five: The IMAX Experience (Universal Pictures, April 2011);

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Thor: An IMAX 3D Experience (Paramount Pictures, May 2011);

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Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides: An IMAX 3D Experience (Walt Disney Studios, May 2011);

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Kung Fu Panda 2: An IMAX 3D Experience (DreamWorks Animation, May 2011, released in select international markets);

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Super 8: The IMAX Experience (Paramount Pictures, June 2011);

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The Founding of a Party: The IMAX Experience (China Film Group, June 2011, released in the People’s Republic of China);

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Cars 2: An IMAX 3D Experience (Walt Disney Studios, June 2011);

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Transformers: Dark of the Moon: An IMAX 3D Experience (Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Studios, June 2011);

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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II: An IMAX 3D Experience (Warner Bros., July 2011);

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Final Destination 5: An IMAX 3D Experience (Warner Bros., August 2011);

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Cowboys & Aliens: The IMAX Experience (DreamWorks Studios, Universal Pictures, August 2011);

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Sector 7: An IMAX 3D Experience (CJ Entertainment, August 2011);

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Contagion: The IMAX Experience (Warner Bros., September 2011);

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Real Steel: The IMAX Experience (DreamWorks Pictures, Disney, October 2011);

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Puss in Boots: An IMAX 3D Experience (DreamWorks Animation, October 2011);

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Happy Feet 2: An IMAX 3D Experience (Warner Bros., November 2011);

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Flying Swords of Dragon Gate: An IMAX 3D Experience (Bona Film Group, December 2011);

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Mission: Impossible—Ghost Protocol: The IMAX Experience (Paramount Pictures, December 2011); and

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The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn: An IMAX 3D Experience (Paramount Pictures, Columbia Pictures, December 2011).

In addition, the Company, in conjunction with Warner Bros. Pictures (“WB”), released the original film Born to be Wild 3D: An IMAX 3D Experience in April 2011.

To date, the Company has signed contracts for 16 DMR films that will play in the IMAX theater network in 2012:

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Underworld: Awakening: An IMAX 3D Experience (Sony Pictures Entertainment, January 2012);

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Journey 2: The Mysterious Island An IMAX 3D Experience (New Line Cinema, February 2012);

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The Lorax: An IMAX 3D Experience (Universal Pictures, March 2012);

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John Carter: An IMAX 3D Experience (Walt Disney Studios, March 2012);

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The Hunger Games: The IMAX Experience (Lionsgate, March 2012);

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Wrath of the Titans: An IMAX 3D Experience (Warner Bros., March 2012);

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HOUBA! On the Trail of the Marsupilami: The IMAX Experience (Chez WAM, Pathé Distribution, April 2012, France only);

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The Avengers: An IMAX 3D Experience (Marvel Studios & Walt Disney Studios, May 2012);

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Dark Shadows: The IMAX Experience (Warner Bros., May 2012);

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Men in Black III: An IMAX 3D Experience (Sony Pictures Entertainment, May 2012);

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The Amazing Spider-Man: An IMAX 3D Experience (Sony Pictures Entertainment, July 2012);

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The Dark Knight Rises: The IMAX Experience (Warner Bros., July 2012);

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Skyfall: The IMAX Experience (Sony, November 2012);

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Gravity: An IMAX 3D Experience (Warner Bros., November 2012);

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Chinese Zodiac: The IMAX Experience (JCE Entertainment Ltd., Huayi Brothers & Emperor Motion Pictures, December 2012); and

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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: An IMAX 3D Experience (Warner Bros., December 2012).

In addition, in conjunction with MacGillivray Freeman Films and WB., the Company will release IMAX original production, To the Arctic 3D, in April 2012.

The Company remains in active negotiations with all of Hollywood’s studios for additional films to fill out its short and long-term film slate and expects a similar number of IMAX DMR films to be released to the IMAX network in 2012 as in 2011.

Film Distribution

The Company is a significant distributor of large-format films. The Company distributes films which it has produced or for which it has acquired distribution rights from independent producers. As a distributor, the Company receives a fixed fee and/or a percentage of the theater box-office receipts.

As at December 31, 2011, the Company’s film library consisted of 278 IMAX original films, which cover such subjects as space, wildlife, music, history and natural wonders. The Company currently has distribution rights with respect to 45 of such films. Large-format films that have been successfully distributed by the Company include: Born to be Wild 3D: An IMAX 3D Experience, which was released by the Company and WB. in April 2011 and has grossed over $20.3 million as at the end of 2011; Hubble 3D: An IMAX 3D Experience, which was released by the Company and WB in March 2010 and has grossed over $43.5 million as at the end of 2011; Under the Sea 3D: An IMAX 3D Experience, which was released by the Company and WB in February 2009 and has grossed over $41.8 million as at the end of 2011; Deep Sea 3D: An IMAX 3D Experience, which was released by the Company and WB in March 2006 and has grossed more than $91.3 million as at the end of 2011; SPACE STATION, which was released in April 2002 and has grossed over $118.4 million as at the end of 2011 and T-REX: Back to the Cretaceous, which was released by the Company in 1998 and has grossed over $103.8 million as at the end of 2011. Large-format films have significantly longer exhibition periods than conventional commercial films and many of the films in the large-format library have remained popular for many decades, including the films To Fly! (1976), Grand Canyon—The Hidden Secrets (1984) and The Dream Is Alive (1985).

Film Post-Production

David Keighley Productions 70MM Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, provides film post-production and quality control services for large-format films (whether produced internally or externally), and digital post-production services.

Other

Theater Operations

As at December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had four owned and operated theaters on leased premises. In addition, the Company has a commercial arrangement with one theater resulting in the sharing of profits and losses. The Company also provides management services to two theaters.

Cameras

The Company rents its proprietary 2D and 3D large-format film and digital cameras to third party production companies. The Company also provides production technical support and post-production services for a fee. All IMAX 2D and 3D film cameras run 65mm negative film, exposing 15 perforations per frame and resulting in an image area nearly 10x larger than standard 35mm film. The Company’s film-based 3D camera, which is a patented, state-of-the-art dual and single filmstrip 3D camera, is among the most advanced motion picture cameras in the world and is the only 3D camera of its kind. The IMAX 3D camera simultaneously shoots left-eye and right-eye images and enables filmmakers to access a variety of locations, such as underwater or aboard aircraft. The Company has also recently developed a high speed 3D digital camera which utilizes a pair of the world’s largest digital sensors.

In 2009, the Company developed its first 3D camera, the prototype of which was used to film portions of Born to be Wild 3D: The IMAX Experience, released to theaters in April 2011.

The Company maintains cameras and other film equipment and also offers production advice and technical assistance to both documentary and Hollywood filmmakers.

MARKETING AND CUSTOMERS

The Company markets its theater systems through a direct sales force and marketing staff located in offices in Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia. In addition, the Company has agreements with consultants, business brokers and real estate professionals to locate potential customers and theater sites for the Company on a commission basis. During 2012, the Company intends to launch its first ever brand marketing campaign that will encompass social media, in-theater marketing and internet advertising.

The commercial multiplex theater segment of the Company’s theater network is now its largest segment, comprising 497 theaters, or 78.4%, of the 634 theaters open as at December 31, 2011. The Company’s institutional customers include science and natural history museums, zoos, aquaria and other educational and cultural centers. The Company also sells or leases its theater systems to theme parks, tourist destination sites, fairs and expositions (the Commercial Destination segment). At December 31, 2011, approximately 41.5% of all opened IMAX theaters were in locations outside of the United States and Canada. The following table outlines the breakdown of the theater network by type and geographic location as at December 31:


	2011 Theater Network Base								2010 Theater Network Base
	Commercial Multiplex		Commercial Destination		Institutional		Total		Commercial Multiplex		Commercial Destination		Institutional		Total
United States		269		6		61		336		217		9		65		291
Canada		26		2		7		35		17		2		7		26
Mexico		6		—		10		16		8		—		11		19
Russia & the CIS		22		—		—		22		16		—		—		16
Western Europe		36		7		10		53		35		7		9		51
Rest of Europe		10		—		—		10		9		—		—		9
Japan		13		2		6		21		9		2		7		18
Greater China⁽¹⁾		70		—		18		88		22		—		18		40
Rest of World		45		3		5		53		40		3		5		48

Total⁽²⁾		497		20		117		634		373		23		122		518

(1)	Greater China includes China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau.

(2)	Includes 257 and 171 theater systems in operation as at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, under joint revenue sharing arrangements.

For information on revenue breakdown by geographic area, see note 19 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements in Item 8. The Company’s foreign operations are subject to certain risks. See “Risk Factors—The Company conducts business internationally which exposes it to uncertainties and risks that could negatively affect its operations and sales” in Item 1A. The Company’s three largest customers as at December 31, 2011, collectively represent 36.4% of the Company’s network base of theaters and 17.4% of revenues.

INDUSTRY AND COMPETITION

In recent years, as the motion picture industry has transitioned from film projection to digital projection, a number of companies have introduced digital 3D projection technology and, since 2008, an increasingly large number of Hollywood features have been exhibited using these technologies. According to the National Association of Theater Owners, as at December 31, 2011, there were approximately 12,620 conventional-sized screens in U.S. multiplexes equipped with such digital 3D systems. In 2008, the Company introduced its proprietary digitally-based projector which is capable of 2D and 3D presentations on large screens and which comprises the majority of its current (and, the Company expects, future) theater system sales. For the films released to both IMAX 3D theaters and conventional 3D theaters, the IMAX theaters have significantly outperformed the conventional theaters on a per-screen revenue basis. Over the last several years, a number of commercial exhibitors have introduced their own large screen branded theaters. In addition, the Company has historically competed with manufacturers of large-format film projectors. The Company believes that all of these alternative film formats deliver images and experiences that are inferior to The IMAX Experience.

The Company may also face competition in the future from companies in the entertainment industry with new technologies and/or substantially greater capital resources to develop and support them. The Company also faces in-home competition from a number of alternative motion picture distribution channels such as home video,

pay-per-view, video-on-demand, DVD, Internet and syndicated and broadcast television. The Company further competes for the public’s leisure time and disposable income with other forms of entertainment, including gaming, sporting events, concerts, live theater, social media and restaurants.

The Company believes that its competitive strengths include the value of the IMAX brand name, the premium IMAX consumer experience, the design, quality and historic reliability rate of IMAX theater systems, the return on investment of an IMAX theater, the number and quality of IMAX films that it distributes, the relationships the Company maintains with prominent Hollywood filmmakers, a number of whom desire to film portions of their movies with IMAX cameras, the quality of the sound system components included with the IMAX theater, the availability of Hollywood event films to IMAX theaters through IMAX DMR technology, consumer loyalty and the level of the Company’s service and maintenance and extended warranty efforts. The Company believes that all of the best performing premium theaters in the world are IMAX theaters.

THE IMAX BRAND

The world-famous IMAX brand stands for the highest-quality, most immersive motion picture entertainment. Consumer research conducted for the Company in the U.S. by a third-party research firm shows that the IMAX brand is known for cutting-edge technology and an experience that immerses audiences in the movie. The research also shows that the brand inspires strong consumer loyalty and that consumers place a premium on it, often willing to travel significantly farther and pay more for The IMAX Experience than for a conventional movie. The Company believes that its significant brand loyalty among consumers provides it with a strong, sustainable position in the exhibition industry. Recognition of the IMAX brand name cuts across geographic and demographic boundaries. The Company believes that the strength of the IMAX brand has resulted in IMAX DMR films significantly outperforming other formats on a per screen basis.

The Company believes the strength of the IMAX brand is an asset that has helped to establish the IMAX theater network as a unique and desirable release window for Hollywood movies. During 2012, the Company intends to re-invest in its brand with its first ever consumer brand marketing campaign that will encompass social media, in-theater marketing and Internet advertising.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

The Company believes that it is one of the world’s leading entertainment technology companies with significant proprietary expertise in digital and film-based projection and sound system component design, engineering and imaging technology, particularly in 3D. During 2012, the Company intends to increase its level of research and development as it looks to develop its next generation laser-based projection system. In addition, the Company plans to continue to fund research and development activity in other areas considered important to the Company’s continued commercial success, including further improving the reliability of its projectors, enhancing the Company’s 2D and 3D image quality, expanding the applicability of the Company’s digital technology, developing IMAX theater systems’ capabilities in live entertainment and further enhancing the IMAX theater and sound system design.

The motion picture industry has been and will continue to be affected by the development of digital technologies, particularly in the areas of content creation (image capture), post-production, digital re-mastering (such as IMAX DMR), distribution and display (projection). As such, the Company has made significant investments in digital technologies, including the development of a proprietary technology to digitally enhance image resolution and quality of motion picture films, the creation of an IMAX digital projector and the licensing of prominent laser illumination technology. Accordingly, the Company holds a number of patents, patents pending and other intellectual property rights in these areas. In addition, the Company holds numerous digital patents and relationships with key manufacturers and suppliers in digital technology.

In July 2008, the Company introduced its proprietary, digitally-based projector which operates without the need for analog film prints. In 2009, the Company developed its first digital 3D camera, the prototype of which

was used to film portions of Born to be Wild 3D: An IMAX 3D Experience, released to theaters in April 2011. More recently, in order to keep the Company at the forefront of digital technology, the Company has made strategic investments in laser technology. On October 17, 2011, the Company announced the completion of a deal in which it secured the exclusive license rights from Kodak to a portfolio of more than 50 patent families covering laser projection technology as well as rights in the digital cinema field to a broader range of Kodak technology. On February 7, 2012, the Company announced an agreement with Barco to jointly develop a laser-based digital projection system that incorporates Kodak technology. The Company believes that these arrangements with Kodak and Barco will enable IMAX theaters to present greater brightness and clarity, a wider color gamut and deeper blacks, and consume less power and last longer than existing digital technology. The Company believes that a laser projection solution will allow IMAX’s network to show the highest quality digital content available. As part of its investment in laser digital technology, in September 2010, the Company also made a $1.5 million preferred share investment in Laser Light Engines, Inc. (“LLE”), a developer and manufacturer of laser-driven light sources. The Company is working with LLE to develop laser technology to incorporate into its laser-based digital projection solution. The Company plans to deploy a laser-based digital projection solution in 2013. As part of its agreement with Barco, in addition to co-developing a laser-based digital projection system, Barco will serve as IMAX’s exclusive supplier of xenon-based projection systems until the Company transitions to a laser-based projection system. The Company will work to ensure the compatability of the Barco projector with IMAX theater systems and to ensure that the Barco projectors meet the specifications of The IMAX Experience.

The Company’s participation in 3net, a 24/7 3D cable channel venture, operated by a limited liability corporation owned by the Company, Discovery Communications and Sony Corporation that premiered on February 13, 2011, is an example of its strategic entry into the field of in-home entertainment technology. The Company has deployed its proprietary expertise in image technology and 3D technology to help set broadcast and presentation standards for the new channel. The Company expects to continue to deploy its proprietary expertise in image technology and 3D technology, as well as its proprietary film content and the IMAX brand, for further applications in in-home entertainment technology.

In 2010, the Company introduced IMAX nXos, a patent-pending technology designed to tune and automatically monitor IMAX audio systems. The new technology applies the equivalent of thousands of bands of equalization to perform a highly detailed tuning of the IMAX audio system. The IMAX nXos Calibrator is designed to significantly exceed the capability of manual equalization processes. IMAX’s audio systems feature proprietary loudspeaker technology and uncompressed digital sound, with much greater dynamic range than conventional systems. The system is designed to provide a more immersive audio environment. The IMAX nXos Calibrator works to ensure that the audience is provided an optimum audio experience in the IMAX theater.

For the years ended 2011, 2010, and 2009, the Company recorded research and development expenses of $7.8 million, $6.2 million and $3.8 million, respectively. As at December 31, 2011, 47 of the Company’s employees were connected with research and development projects.

MANUFACTURING AND SERVICE

Projector Component Manufacturing

The Company assembles the projector of its theater systems at its Corporate Headquarters and Technology Center in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada (near Toronto). The Company develops and designs all of the key elements of the proprietary technology involved in this component. Fabrication of a majority of parts and sub-assemblies is subcontracted to a group of carefully pre-qualified third-party suppliers. Manufacture and supply contracts are signed for the delivery of the component on an order-by-order basis. The Company believes its significant suppliers will continue to supply quality products in quantities sufficient to satisfy its needs. The Company inspects all parts and sub-assemblies, completes the final assembly and then subjects the projector to comprehensive testing individually and as a system prior to shipment. In 2011, these projectors, including the Company’s digital projection system, had reliability rates based on scheduled shows of approximately 99.9%.

Sound System Component Manufacturing

The Company develops, designs and assembles the key elements of its theater sound system component. The standard IMAX theater sound system component comprises parts from a variety of sources, with approximately 50% of the materials of each sound system attributable to proprietary parts provided under original equipment manufacturers agreements with outside vendors. These proprietary parts include custom loudspeaker enclosures and horns, specialized amplifiers, and signal processing and control equipment. The Company inspects all parts and sub-assemblies, completes the final assembly and then subjects the sound system component to comprehensive testing individually and as a system prior to shipment.

Screen and Other Components

The Company purchases its screen component and glasses cleaning equipment from third parties. The standard screen system component is comprised of a projection screen manufactured to IMAX specifications and a frame to hang the projection screen. The proprietary glasses cleaning machine is a stand-alone unit that is connected to the theater’s water and electrical supply to automate the cleaning of 3D glasses.

Maintenance and Extended Warranty Services

The Company also provides ongoing maintenance and extended warranty services to IMAX theater systems. These arrangements are usually for a separate fee, although the Company often includes free service in the initial year of an arrangement. The maintenance and extended warranty arrangements include service, maintenance and replacement parts for theater systems.

To support the IMAX theater network, the Company has personnel stationed in major markets throughout the world who provide periodic and emergency maintenance and extended warranty services on existing theater systems. The Company provides various levels of maintenance and warranty services, which are priced accordingly. Under full service programs, Company personnel typically visit each theater every six months to provide preventative maintenance, cleaning and inspection services and emergency visits to resolve problems and issues with the theater system. Under some arrangements, customers can elect to participate in a service partnership program whereby the Company trains a customer’s technician to carry out certain aspects of maintenance. Under such shared maintenance arrangements, the Company participates in certain of the customer’s maintenance checks each year, provides a specified number of emergency visits and provides spare parts, as necessary. For digital systems, the Company provides pre-emptive maintenance through minor bug fixes, and also provides remote system monitoring and a network operations centre that provides continuous access to product experts.

PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS

The Company’s inventions cover various aspects of its proprietary technology and many of these inventions are protected by Letters of Patent or applications filed throughout the world, most significantly in the United States, Canada, Belgium, Japan, France, Germany and the United Kingdom. The subject matter covered by these patents, applications and other licenses encompasses theater design and geometry, electronic circuitry and mechanisms employed in projectors and projection equipment (including 3D projection equipment), a method for synchronizing digital data, a method of generating stereoscopic (3D) imaging data from a monoscopic (2D) source, a process for digitally re-mastering 35mm films into large-format, a method for increasing the dynamic range and contrast of projectors, a method for visibly seaming or superimposing images from multiple projectors and other inventions relating to digital projectors. In 2011, the Company entered into a deal in which it secured the exclusive license rights from Kodak to a portfolio of more than 50 patent families covering laser projection technology as well as certain exclusive rights to a broad range of Kodak patents in the field of digital cinema. The Company has been and will continue to be diligent in the protection of its proprietary interests.

As at December 31, 2011, the Company holds or licenses 76 patents, has 49 patents pending in the United States and has corresponding patents or filed applications in many countries throughout the world. While the Company considers its patents to be important to the overall conduct of its business, it does not consider any particular patent essential to its operations. Certain of the Company’s patents in the United States, Canada and Japan for improvements to the IMAX projection system components expire between 2016 and 2024.

The Company owns or otherwise has rights to trademarks and trade names used in conjunction with the sale of its products, systems and services. The following trademarks are considered significant in terms of the current and contemplated operations of the Company: IMAX^®, Experience It In IMAX^®, The IMAX Experience^®, An IMAX Experience^®, An IMAX 3D Experience^®, IMAX DMR^®, IMAX^® 3D, IMAX^® Dome, IMAX think big^® and think big^®. These trademarks are widely protected by registration or common law throughout the world. The Company also owns the service mark IMAX THEATRE^TM.

EMPLOYEES

The Company had 442 employees as at December 31, 2011 compared to 361 employees as at December 31, 2010. Both employee counts exclude hourly employees at the Company’s owned and operated theaters.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

The Company makes available, free of charge, its Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K as soon as reasonably practicable after such filings have been made with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Reports may be obtained through the Company’s website at www.imax.com or by calling the Company’s Investor Relations Department at 212-821-0100.

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

If any of the risks described below occurs, the Company’s business, operating results and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

The risks described below are not the only ones the Company faces. Additional risks not presently known to the Company or that it deems immaterial, may also impair its business or operations.

RISKS RELATED TO THE COMPANY’S FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OR CONDITION

The Company depends principally on commercial movie exhibitors to purchase or lease IMAX theater systems, to supply box office revenue under joint revenue sharing arrangements and under its sales and sales-type lease agreements and to supply venues in which to exhibit IMAX DMR films and the Company can make no assurances that exhibitors will continue to do any of these things.

The Company’s primary customers are commercial multiplex exhibitors, whose systems represent 97.7% of the 263 systems in the Company’s backlog as at December 31, 2011. The Company is unable to predict if, or when, they or other exhibitors will purchase or lease IMAX theater systems or enter into joint revenue sharing arrangements with the Company, or whether any of the Company’s existing customers will continue to do any of the foregoing. If exhibitors choose to reduce their levels of expansion or decide not to purchase or lease IMAX theater systems or enter into joint revenue sharing arrangements with the Company, the Company’s revenues would not increase at an anticipated rate and motion picture studios may be less willing to reformat their films into the Company’s large format for exhibition in commercial IMAX theaters. As a result, the Company’s future revenues and cash flows could be adversely affected.

The success of the IMAX theater network is directly related to the availability and success of IMAX DMR films for which there can be no guarantee.

An important factor affecting the growth and success of the IMAX theater network is the availability of films for IMAX theaters and the box office performance of such films. The Company produces itself only a small number of such films and, as a result, the Company relies principally on films produced by third party filmmakers and studios, in particular Hollywood features converted into the Company’s large format using the Company’s IMAX DMR technology. In 2011, 25 IMAX DMR films were released by Hollywood studios to the worldwide IMAX theater network. There is no guarantee that filmmakers and studios will continue to release IMAX films, or that the films they produce will be commercially successful. The steady flow and successful box office performance of IMAX DMR releases have become increasingly important to the Company’s financial performance as the number of joint revenue sharing arrangements included in the overall IMAX network has grown considerably. The Company is increasingly directly impacted by box-office results for the films released to the IMAX network through its joint revenue sharing arrangements as well as through the percentage the Company receives of the box-office receipts from the studios releasing IMAX DMR films, and the Company’s continued ability to find suitable partners for joint revenue share arrangements and to sell IMAX theater systems also depends on the number and commercial success of films released to its network. The commercial success of films released to IMAX theaters depends on a number of factors outside of the Company’s control, including whether the film receives critical acclaim, the timing of its release, the success of the marketing efforts of the studio releasing the film and consumer preferences. Moreover, films can be subject to delays in production or changes in release schedule, which can negatively impact the number, timing and quality of IMAX DMR and IMAX original films released to the IMAX theater network.

The introduction of new, competing products and technologies could harm the Company’s business.

The out-of-home entertainment industry is very competitive, and the Company faces a number of competitive challenges. According to the National Association of Theater Owners, as at December 31, 2011, there were approximately 12,620 conventionally-sized screens in U.S. multiplexes equipped with digital 3D systems. In addition, some commercial exhibitors have introduced their own large-screen 3D auditoriums and in many cases have marketed those auditoriums as having the same quality or attributes as an IMAX theater. The Company may also face competition in the future from companies in the entertainment industry with new technologies and/or substantially greater capital resources to develop and support them. If the Company is unable to continue to deliver a premium movie-going experience, or if other technologies surpass those of the Company, the Company may be unable to continue to produce theater systems which are premium to, or differentiated from, other theater systems. If the Company is unable to produce a premium theater experience, consumers may be unwilling to pay the price premiums associated with the cost of IMAX theater tickets and box office

performance of IMAX films may decline. Declining box office performance of IMAX films would materially and adversely harm the Company’s business and prospects. The Company also faces in-home competition from a number of alternative motion picture distribution channels such as home video, pay-per-view, video-on-demand, DVD, Internet and syndicated and broadcast television. The Company further competes for the public’s leisure time and disposable income with other forms of entertainment, including gaming, sporting events, concerts, live theater, social media and restaurants.

Failure to respond to changes and advancements in digital technology could negatively affect the Company’s business.

There have been a number of advancements in the digital cinema field in recent years. In order to keep pace with these changes and in order to continue to provide an experience which is premium to and differentiated from conventional cinema experiences, the Company has made, and expects to continue to make, significant investments in digital technology in the form of research and development and the acquisition of third party intellectual property and/or proprietary technology. The process of developing new technologies is inherently uncertain, and the Company can provide no assurance its investments will result in commercially viable advancements to the Company’s existing products or in commercially successful new products, or that any such advancements or products will be developed within the timeframe expected.

The Company conducts business internationally, which exposes it to uncertainties and risks that could negatively affect its operations, sales and future growth prospects.

A significant portion of the Company’s revenues are generated by customers located outside the United States and Canada. Approximately 46%, 39% and 40% of its revenues were derived outside of the United States and Canada in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. As at December 31, 2011, approximately 84.0% of IMAX theater systems arrangements in backlog are scheduled to be installed in international markets. Accordingly, the Company expects to expand its international operations to account for an increasingly significant portion of its revenues in the future. There are a number of risks associated with operating in international markets that could negatively affect the Company’s operations, sales and future growth prospects. These risks include:

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new restrictions on access to markets, both for theater systems and films;

•

unusual or burdensome foreign laws or regulatory requirements or unexpected changes to those laws or requirements;

•

fluctuations in the value of foreign currency versus the U.S. dollar and potential currency devaluations;

•

new tariffs, trade protection measures, import or export licensing requirements, trade embargoes and other trade barriers;

•

imposition of foreign exchange controls in such foreign jurisdictions;

•

dependence on foreign distributors and their sales channels;

•

difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations;

•

adverse changes in monetary and/or tax policies;

•

poor recognition of intellectual property rights;

•

inflation;

•

requirements to provide performance bonds and letters of credit to international customers to secure system component deliveries; and

•

political, economic and social instability.

As the Company begins to expand the number of its theaters under joint revenue sharing arrangements in international markets, the Company’s revenues from its international operations will become increasingly dependent on the box office performance of its films. In addition, as the Company’s international network has expanded, the Company has increasingly signed deals with movie studios in other countries to convert their films to the Company’s large format and release them to IMAX theaters. To date, the Company has released 3 IMAX DMR films from Chinese studios. The Company may be unable to select films which will be successful in international markets or unsuccessful in selecting the right mix of Hollywood and local DMR films in a particular country or region. Also, conflicts in international release schedules may make it difficult to release every IMAX film in certain markets. Finally, box office reporting in certain countries may be less accurate and therefore less reliable than in the United States and Canada.

The Company faces risks in connection with the continued expansion of its business in China.

At present, Greater China is the Company’s second-largest and fastest growing market. As at December 31, 2011, the Company had 88 theaters operating in Greater China with an additional 124 theaters in backlog that are scheduled to be installed in Greater China by 2017. In order to enable further growth in China, in 2011, the Company formed IMAX China, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Also in 2011, the Company entered into key joint revenue sharing relationships in China, including a 75-theater arrangement with Wanda Cinema Line, which is the Company’s largest single international partnership to date, and reflects an even greater financial investment in China. In addition, the Company is increasingly releasing Chinese IMAX DMR films to its growing network in Greater China. As the Company furthers its commitment to China, it is increasingly exposed to risks in that region. These risks include changes in laws and regulations, currency fluctuations, increased competition and changes in economic conditions including consumer spending. Adverse developments in these areas could cause the Company to lose some or all of its investment in China and could cause the Company to fail to achieve anticipated growth.

Moreover, certain risks and uncertainties of doing business in China are solely within the control of the Chinese government, and Chinese law regulates both the scope of the Company’s investment in China and the business conducted by it within China. There are also uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of laws and regulations and the enforceability of intellectual property and contract rights in China. If the Company were unable to navigate China’s regulatory environment, or if the Company were unable to enforce its intellectual property or contract rights in China, the Company’s business would be adversely impacted.

The Company may not be able to adequately protect its intellectual property, and competitors could misappropriate its technology or brand, which could weaken its competitive position.

The Company depends on its proprietary knowledge regarding IMAX theater systems and digital and film technology. The Company relies principally upon a combination of copyright, trademark, patent and trade secret laws, restrictions on disclosures and contractual provisions to protect its proprietary and intellectual property rights. These laws and procedures may not be adequate to prevent unauthorized parties from attempting to copy or otherwise obtain the Company’s processes and technology or deter others from developing similar processes or technology, which could weaken the Company’s competitive position and require the Company to incur costs to secure enforcement of its intellectual property rights. The protection provided to the Company’s proprietary technology by the laws of foreign jurisdictions may not protect it as fully as the laws of Canada or the United States. The lack of protection afforded to intellectual property rights in certain international jurisdictions may be increasingly problematic given the extent to which future growth of the Company is anticipated to come from foreign jurisdictions. Finally, some of the underlying technologies of the Company’s products and system components are not covered by patents or patent applications.

The Company owns or licenses patents issued and patent applications pending, including those covering its digital projector, digital conversion technology and laser illumination technology. The Company’s patents are filed in the United States, often with corresponding patents or filed applications in other jurisdictions, such as

Canada, China, Belgium, Japan, France, Germany and the United Kingdom. The patent applications pending may not be issued or the patents may not provide the Company with any competitive advantages. The patent applications may also be challenged by third parties. Several of the Company’s issued patents in the United States, Canada and Japan for improvements to IMAX projectors, IMAX 3D Dome and sound system components expire between 2016 and 2024. Any claims or litigation initiated by the Company to protect its proprietary technology could be time consuming, costly and divert the attention of its technical and management resources.

In 2011, the Company licensed significant laser illumination technology from Kodak. In January 2012, Kodak filed for bankruptcy protection in the Southern District of New York. While the Company believes it has incorporated sufficient protections into its license agreement with Kodak, there are no guarantees the intellectual property it licensed from Kodak could not be adversely affected by Kodak’s bankruptcy filing.

The IMAX brand stands for the highest quality, most immersive motion picture entertainment. Protecting the IMAX brand is a critical element in maintaining the Company’s relationships with studios and its exhibitor clients. Though the Company relies on a combination of trademark and copyright law as well as its contractual provisions to protect the IMAX brand, those protections may not be adequate to prevent erosion of the brand over time, particularly in foreign jurisdictions. Erosion of the brand could threaten the demand for the Company’s products and services and impair its ability to grow future revenue streams.

The Company may experience adverse effects due to exchange rate fluctuations.

A substantial portion of the Company’s revenues are denominated in U.S. dollars, while a substantial portion of its expenses are denominated in Canadian dollars. The Company also generates revenues in Chinese Yuan Renminbi, Euros and Japanese Yen. While the Company periodically enters into forward contracts to hedge its exposure to exchange rate fluctuations between the U.S. and the Canadian dollar, the Company may not be successful in reducing its exposure to these fluctuations. The use of derivative contracts is intended to mitigate or reduce transactional level volatility in the results of foreign operations, but does not completely eliminate volatility.

The Company is undertaking new lines of business and these new business initiatives may not be successful.

The Company is actively exploring new areas of brand extension as well as opportunities in alternative theater content. These initiatives represent new areas of growth for the Company, which may not prove to be successful. Some of these initiatives could include the offering of new products and services that may not be accepted by the market. For instance, the Company cannot provide assurance that 3net, a 3D television channel operated by a limited liability corporation owned by the Company, Discovery Communications and Sony Corporation which debuted on February 13, 2011, will be a commercial success. The Company recorded an equity loss of approximately $1.8 million and $0.5 million in 2011 and 2010, respectively, in connection with its equity investment in 3net. Some areas of potential growth for the Company, are in the field of in-home entertainment technology, which is an intensively competitive business and which is dependent on consumer demand, over which the Company has no control. If any new business in which the Company invests or attempts to develop does not progress as planned, the Company may be adversely affected by investment expenses that have not led to the anticipated results, by the distraction of management from its core business or by damage to its brand or reputation.

In addition, these initiatives may involve the formation of joint ventures and business alliances. While the Company seeks to employ the optimal structure for each such business alliance, there is a possibility that the Company may have disagreements with its relevant partner in a joint venture or business with respect to financing, technological management, product development, management strategies or otherwise. Any such disagreement may cause the joint venture or business alliance to be terminated.

Current economic conditions beyond the Company’s control could materially affect the Company’s business by reducing both revenue generated from existing IMAX theater systems and the demand for new IMAX theater systems.

The macro-economic outlook for 2012 remains uncertain in many markets and the U.S. and global economies could remain significantly challenged for an indeterminate period of time. While historically the movie industry has proved to be somewhat resistant to economic downturns, present economic conditions, which are beyond the Company’s control, could lead to a decrease in discretionary consumer spending. It is difficult to predict the severity and the duration of any decrease in discretionary consumer spending resulting from the economic downturn and what affect it may have on the movie industry, in general, and box office results of the Company’s films in particular. In recent years, the majority of the Company’s revenue has been directly derived from the box-office revenues of its films. Accordingly, any decline in attendance at commercial IMAX theaters could materially and adversely affect several sources of key revenue streams for the Company.

The Company also depends on the sale and lease of IMAX theater systems to commercial movie exhibitors to generate revenue. Commercial movie exhibitors generate revenues from consumer attendance at their theaters, which depends on the willingness of consumers to spend discretionary income at movie theaters. While in the past, the movie industry has proven to be somewhat resistant to economic downturns, in the event of declining box office and concession revenues, commercial exhibitors may be less willing to invest capital in new IMAX theaters. In addition, as a result of continuing tight credit conditions that may limit exhibitors’ access to capital, exhibitors may be unable to invest capital in new IMAX theaters. A decline in demand for new IMAX theater systems could materially and adversely affect the Company’s results of operations.

The issuance of the Company’s common shares and the accumulation of shares by certain shareholders could result in the loss of the Company’s ability to use certain of the Company’s net operating losses.

As at December 31, 2011, the Company had approximately $14.9 million of U.S. consolidated federal tax and state tax net operating loss carryforwards. Realization of some or all of the benefit from these U.S. net tax operating losses is dependent on the absence of certain “ownership changes” of the Company’s common shares. An “ownership change,” as defined in the applicable federal income tax rules, would place possible limitations, on an annual basis, on the use of such net operating losses to offset any future taxable income that the Company may generate. Such limitations, in conjunction with the net operating loss expiration provisions, could significantly reduce or effectively eliminate the Company’s ability to use its U.S. net operating losses to offset any future taxable income.

There is collection risk associated with payments to be received over the terms of the Company’s theater system agreements.

The Company is dependent in part on the viability of its exhibitors for collections under long-term leases, sales financing agreements and joint revenue sharing arrangements. Exhibitors or other operators may experience financial difficulties that could cause them to be unable to fulfill their contractual payment obligations to the Company. As a result, the Company’s future revenues and cash flows could be adversely affected.

The Company may not convert all of its backlog into revenue and cash flows.

At December 31, 2011, the Company’s sales backlog included 263 theater systems, consisting of 144 systems under sales arrangements and 119 theater systems under joint revenue sharing arrangements. The Company lists signed contracts for theater systems for which revenue has not been recognized as sales backlog prior to the time of revenue recognition. The total value of the sales backlog represents all signed theater system sale or lease agreements that are expected to be recognized as revenue in the future and includes initial fees along with the present value of fixed minimum ongoing fees due over the term, but excludes contingent fees in excess

of fixed minimum ongoing fees that might be received in the future and maintenance and extended warranty fees. Notwithstanding the legal obligation to do so, not all of the Company’s customers with which it has signed contracts may accept delivery of theater systems that are included in the Company’s backlog. This could adversely affect the Company’s future revenues and cash flows. In addition, customers with theater system obligations in backlog sometimes request that the Company agree to modify or reduce such obligations, which the Company has agreed to in the past under certain circumstances. Customer requested delays in the installation of theater systems in backlog remain a recurring and unpredictable part of the Company’s business.

The Company’s operating results and cash flow can vary substantially from quarter to quarter and could increase the volatility of its share price.

The Company’s operating results and cash flow can fluctuate substantially from quarter to quarter. In particular, fluctuations in theater system installations and gross box office performance of IMAX DMR content can materially affect operating results. Factors that have affected the Company’s operating results and cash flow in the past, and are likely to affect its operating results and cash flow in the future, include, among other things:

•

the timing of signing and installation of new theater systems;

•

the timing and commercial success of films distributed to the Company’s theater network;

•

the demand for, and acceptance of, its products and services;

•

the recognition of revenue of sales and sales-type leases;

•

the classification of leases as sales-type versus operating leases;

•

the volume of orders received and that can be filled in the quarter;

•

the level of its sales backlog;

•

the signing of film distribution agreements;

•

the financial performance of IMAX theaters operated by the Company’s customers and by the Company;

•

financial difficulties faced by customers, particularly customers in the commercial exhibition industry;

•

the magnitude and timing of spending in relation to the Company’s research and development efforts and related investments as well as new business initiatives; and

•

the number and timing of joint revenue sharing arrangement installations, related capital expenditures and timing of related cash receipts.

Most of the Company’s operating expenses are fixed in the short term. The Company may be unable to rapidly adjust its spending to compensate for any unexpected shortfall in sales, joint revenue sharing arrangements revenue or IMAX DMR revenue which would harm quarterly operating results, although the results of any quarterly period are not necessarily indicative of its results for any other quarter or for a full fiscal year.

The Company’s theater system revenue can vary significantly from its cash flows under theater system sales or lease agreements.

The Company’s theater systems revenue can vary significantly from the associated cash flows. The Company often provides financing to customers for theater systems on a long-term basis through long-term leases or notes receivables. The terms of leases or notes receivable are typically 10 years. The Company’s sale and lease-type agreements typically provide for three major sources of cash flow related to theater systems:

•

initial fees, which are paid in installments generally commencing upon the signing of the agreement until installation of the theater systems;

•

ongoing fees, which are paid monthly after all theater systems have been installed and are generally equal to the greater of a fixed minimum amount per annum and a percentage of box-office receipts; and

•

ongoing annual maintenance and extended warranty fees, which are generally payable commencing in the second year of theater operations.

Initial fees generally make up the vast majority of cash received under theater system sales or lease agreements for a theater arrangement.

For sales and sales-type leases, the revenue recorded is generally equal to the sum of initial fees and the present value of minimum ongoing fees due under the agreement. Cash received from initial fees in advance of meeting the revenue recognition criteria for the theater systems is recorded as deferred revenue. Contingent fees are recognized as they are reported by the theaters after annual minimum fixed fees are exceeded.

Leases that do not transfer substantially all of the benefits and risks of ownership to the customer are classified as operating leases. For these leases, initial fees and minimum fixed ongoing fees are recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Contingent fees are recognized as they are reported by the theaters after annual minimum fixed fees are exceeded.

As a result of the above, the revenue set forth in the Company’s financial statements does not necessarily correlate with the Company’s cash flow or cash position. Revenues include the present value of future contracted cash payments and there is no guarantee that the Company will receive such payments under its lease and sale agreements if its customers default on their payment obligations.

The Company’s revenues from existing customers are derived in part from financial reporting provided by its customers, which may be inaccurate or incomplete, resulting in lost or delayed revenues.

The Company’s revenue under its joint revenue sharing arrangements, a portion of the Company’s payments under lease or sales arrangements and its film license fees are based upon financial reporting provided by its customers. If such reporting is inaccurate, incomplete or withheld, the Company’s ability to receive the appropriate payments in a timely fashion that are due to it may be impaired. The Company’s contractual ability to audit IMAX theaters may not rectify payments lost or delayed as a result of customers not fulfilling their contractual obligations with respect to financial reporting.

The Company’s stock price has historically been volatile and declines in market price, including as a result a market downturn, may negatively affect its ability to raise capital, issue debt, secure customer business and retain employees.

The Company is listed on the NYSE and the Toronto Stock Exchange and its publicly traded shares have in the past experienced, and may continue to experience, significant price and volume fluctuations. This market volatility could reduce the market price of its common stock, regardless of the Company’s operating performance. A decline in the capital markets generally, or an adjustment in the market price or trading volumes of the Company’s publicly traded securities, may negatively affect its ability to raise capital, issue debt, secure customer business or retain employees. These factors, as well as general economic and geopolitical conditions, may have a material adverse effect on the market price of the Company’s publicly traded securities.

The credit agreement governing the Company’s senior secured credit facility contains significant restrictions that limit its operating and financial flexibility.

The credit agreement governing the Company’s senior secured credit facility contains certain restrictive covenants that, among other things, limit its ability to:

•

incur additional indebtedness;

•

pay dividends and make distributions;

•

repurchase stock;

•

make certain investments;

•

transfer or sell assets;

•

create liens;

•

enter into transactions with affiliates;

•

issue or sell stock of subsidiaries;

•

create dividend or other payment restrictions affecting restricted subsidiaries; and

•

merge, consolidate, amalgamate or sell all or substantially all of its assets to another person.

These restrictive covenants impose operating and financial restrictions on the Company that limit the Company’s ability to engage in acts that may be in the Company’s long-term best interests.

The Company is subject to impairment losses on its film assets.

The Company amortizes its film assets, including IMAX DMR costs capitalized using the individual film forecast method, whereby the costs of film assets are amortized and participation costs are accrued for each film in the ratio of revenues earned in the current period to management’s estimate of total revenues ultimately expected to be received for that title. Management regularly reviews, and revises when necessary, its estimates of ultimate revenues on a title-by-title basis, which may result in a change in the rate of amortization of the film assets and write-downs or impairments of film assets. Results of operations in future years include the amortization of the Company’s film assets and may be significantly affected by periodic adjustments in amortization rates.

The Company is subject to impairment losses on its inventories.

The Company records provisions for excess and obsolete inventory based upon current estimates of future events and conditions, including the anticipated installation dates for the current backlog of theater system contracts, technological developments, signings in negotiation and anticipated market acceptance of the Company’s current and pending theater systems. Since the Company introduced a proprietary digitally-based IMAX projection system, increased customer acceptance and preference for the Company’s digital projection system may subject existing film-based inventories to further write-downs (resulting in lower margins) as these theater systems become less desirable in the future.

If the Company’s goodwill or long lived assets become impaired the Company may be required to record a significant charge to earnings.

Under United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”), the Company reviews its long lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Goodwill is required to be qualitatively assessed when events or changes in circumstances arise or can be quantitatively tested for impairment on a subjective basis. Factors that may be considered a change in circumstances include (but are not limited to) a decline in stock price and market capitalization, declines in future cash flows, and slower growth rates in the Company’s industry. The Company may be required to record a significant charge to earnings in its financial statements during the period in which any impairment of its goodwill or long lived assets is determined.

Changes in accounting and changes in management’s estimates may affect the Company’s reported earnings and operating income.

U.S. GAAP and accompanying accounting pronouncements, implementation guidelines and interpretations for many aspects of the Company’s business, such as revenue recognition, film accounting, accounting for pensions, accounting for income taxes, and treatment of goodwill or long lived assets, are highly complex and

involve many subjective judgments. Changes in these rules, their interpretation, management’s estimates, or changes in the Company’s products or business could significantly change its reported future earnings and operating income and could add significant volatility to those measures, without a comparable underlying change in cash flow from operations. See “Critical Accounting Policies” in Item 7.

The Company relies on its key personnel, and the loss of one or more of those personnel could harm its ability to carry out its business strategy.

The Company’s operations and prospects depend in large part on the performance and continued service of its senior management team. The Company may not find qualified replacements for any of these individuals if their services are no longer available. The loss of the services of one or more members of the Company’s senior management team could adversely affect its ability to effectively pursue its business strategy.

Because the Company is incorporated in Canada, it may be difficult for plaintiffs to enforce against the Company liabilities based solely upon U.S. federal securities laws.

The Company is incorporated under the federal laws of Canada, some of its directors and officers are residents of Canada and a substantial portion of its assets and the assets of such directors and officers are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for U.S. plaintiffs to effect service within the United States upon those directors or officers who are not residents of the United States, or to realize against them or the Company in the United States upon judgments of courts of the United States predicated upon the civil liability under the U.S. federal securities laws. In addition, it may be difficult for plaintiffs to bring an original action outside of the United States against the Company to enforce liabilities based solely on U.S. federal securities laws.

Item 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2.

Properties

The Company’s principal executive offices are located in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, New York, New York, and Santa Monica, California. The Company’s principal facilities are as follows:


	Operation	Own/Lease	Expiration
Mississauga, Ontario⁽¹⁾	Headquarters, Administrative, Assembly and Research and Development	Own		N/A
New York, New York	Executive	Lease		2014
Santa Monica, California	Sales, Marketing, Film Production and Post-Production	Lease		2013
Tokyo, Japan	Sales, Marketing and Maintenance	Lease		2013
Shanghai, China	Sales, Marketing, Maintenance and Administrative	Lease		2012
Beijing, Shanghai	Sales	Lease		2012
London, United Kingdom	Sales	Lease		2012
Moscow, Russia	Sales	Lease		2012
Paris, France	Sales	Lease		2012

(1)

This facility is subject to a charge in favor of Wells Fargo Capital Finance Corporation Canada (formerly Wachovia Capital Finance Corporation (Canada)) in connection with a secured term and revolving credit facility (see note 11 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements in Item 8).

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

In March 2005, the Company, together with Three-Dimensional Media Group, Ltd. (“3DMG”), filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Western Division, against In-Three, Inc. (“In-Three”) alleging patent infringement. On March 10, 2006, the Company and In-Three entered into a settlement agreement settling the dispute between the Company and In-Three. Despite the settlement reached between the Company and In-Three, co-plaintiff 3DMG refused to dismiss its claims against In-Three. Accordingly, the Company and In-Three moved jointly for a motion to dismiss the Company’s and In-Three’s claims. On August 24, 2010, the Court dismissed all of the claims pending between the Company and In-Three, thus dismissing the Company from the litigation.

On May 15, 2006, the Company initiated arbitration against 3DMG before the International Centre for Dispute Resolution in New York (the “ICDR”), alleging breaches of the license and consulting agreements between the Company and 3DMG. On June 15, 2006, 3DMG filed an answer denying any breaches and asserting counterclaims that the Company breached the parties’ license agreement. On June 21, 2007, the ICDR unanimously denied 3DMG’s Motion for Summary Judgment filed on April 11, 2007 concerning the Company’s claims and 3DMG’s counterclaims. The proceeding was suspended on May 4, 2009 due to failure of 3DMG to pay fees associated with the proceeding. The proceeding was further suspended on October 11, 2010 pending resolution of reexamination proceedings currently pending involving one of 3DMG’s patents. The Company will continue to pursue its claims vigorously and believes that all allegations made by 3DMG are without merit. The Company further believes that the amount of loss, if any, suffered in connection with the counterclaims would not have a material impact on the financial position or results of operations of the Company, although no assurance can be given with respect to the ultimate outcome of the arbitration.

In January 2004, the Company and IMAX Theatre Services Ltd., a subsidiary of the Company, commenced an arbitration seeking damages before the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chambers of Commerce (the “ICC”) with respect to the breach by Electronic Media Limited (“EML”) of its December 2000 agreement with the Company. In June 2004, the Company commenced a related arbitration before the ICC against EML’s affiliate, E-City Entertainment (I) PVT Limited (“E-City”), seeking damages as a result of E-City’s breach of a September 2000 lease agreement. An arbitration hearing took place in November 2005 against E-City which considered all claims by the Company. On February 1, 2006, the ICC issued an award on liability finding unanimously in the Company’s favor on all claims. Further hearings took place in July 2006 and

December 2006. On August 24, 2007, the ICC issued an award unanimously in favor of the Company in the amount of $9.4 million, consisting of past and future rents owed to the Company under its lease agreements, plus interest and costs. In the award, the ICC upheld the validity and enforceability of the Company’s theater system contract. The Company thereafter submitted its application to the arbitration panel for interest and costs. On March 27, 2008, the arbitration plan issued a final award in favor of the Company in the amount of $11.3 million, plus an additional $2,512 each day in interest from October 1, 2007 until the date the award is paid, which the Company is seeking to enforce and collect in full. In July 2008, E-City commenced a proceeding in Mumbai, India seeking an order that the ICC award may not be recognized in India. The Company has opposed that application on a number of grounds and seeks to have the ICC award recognized in India. That Mumbai proceeding is still pending. On June 24, 2011, the Company commenced an application to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice for recognition of the final award. On December 2, 2011, the Ontario court issued an order recognizing the final award and requiring E-City to pay the Company $30,000 to cover the costs of the application. On January 18, 2012, the Company filed an application in New York State Supreme Court seeking recognition of the Ontario order in New York.

In June 2003, Robots of Mars, Inc. (“Robots”) initiated an arbitration proceeding against the Company in California with the American Arbitration Association pursuant to arbitration provisions in two film production agreements entered into in 1994 and 1995 between Robots’ predecessor-in-interest and a discontinued subsidiary of the Company (“Ridefilm”), asserting claims for breach of contract, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty and intentional interference with the contract. The Company discontinued its Ridefilm business through a sale of the Ridefilm business and its assets to a third party in March 2001. Robots sought an award of over $5.0 million in damages including contingent compensation that it claims was owed under two production agreements, damages for tort claims, and punitive damages. The arbitration hearings of this matter occurred in June and October 2009. The arbitrator issued a final award on March 16, 2011, awarding Robots $0.4 million in damages and $0.3 million in pre-judgment interest to date on its claim for breach of one of the Ridefilm production agreements. The arbitrator found in the Company’s favor on Robots’ tort claims, and awarded Robots no damages on its claim for breach of the second production agreement. Despite finding in the Company’s favor on the vast majority of Robots’ claims, the arbitrator awarded Robots $1.2 million in attorneys’ fees and costs pursuant to the attorneys’ fee provision set forth in the production agreements. Robots initiated two separate proceedings in California and in Ontario, Canada, to confirm the award. On July 13, 2011, a California district court granted Robots’ petition to confirm the award, and denied the Company’s petition to vacate the award. On August 18, 2011, the Company appealed the district court’s denial of its petition to vacate to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. On January 12, 2012, the Company, Ridefilm and Robots entered into a confidential settlement agreement, pursuant to which the parties fully and finally resolved and settled all claims between them relating to this dispute. The Company dismissed the Ninth Circuit appeal on January 27, 2012, and is in the process of dismissing the Ontario proceedings.

The Company and certain of its officers and directors were named as defendants in eight purported class action lawsuits filed between August 11, 2006 and September 18, 2006, alleging violations of U.S. federal securities laws. These eight actions were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. On January 18, 2007, the Court consolidated all eight class action lawsuits and appointed Westchester Capital Management, Inc. as the lead plaintiff and Abbey Spanier Rodd & Abrams, LLP as lead plaintiff’s counsel. On October 2, 2007, plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended class action complaint. The amended complaint, brought on behalf of shareholders who purchased the Company’s common stock on the NASDAQ between February 27, 2003 and July 20, 2007 (the “U.S. Class”), alleges primarily that the defendants engaged in securities fraud by disseminating materially false and misleading statements during the class period regarding the Company’s revenue recognition of theater system installations, and failing to disclose material information concerning the Company’s revenue recognition practices. The amended complaint also added PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Company’s auditors, as a defendant. On April 14, 2011, the Court issued an order appointing The Merger Fund as the lead plantiff and Abbey Spanier Rodd & Abrams, LLP as lead plantiff’s counsel. On November 2, 2011, the parties entered into a memorandum of understanding containing the terms and conditions of a settlement of this action. On January 26, 2012, the parties executed and filed with the Court a formal stipulation of settlement

and proposed form of notice to the class, which the Court preliminarily approved on February 1, 2012. Under the terms of the settlement, members of the U.S. Class who do not opt out of the settlement will release defendants from liability for all claims that were alleged in this action or could have been alleged in this action or any other proceeding (including the Canadian Action) relating to the purchase of IMAX securities on the NASDAQ from February 27, 2003 and July 20, 2007 or the subject matter and facts relating to this action. As part of the settlement and in exchange for the release, defendants will pay $12.0 million to a settlement fund which amount will be funded by the carriers of the Company’s directors and officers insurance policy and by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. The settlement is subject to court approval and the Court has not yet scheduled a date for a hearing to determine whether the settlement should be granted final approval.

A class action lawsuit was filed on September 20, 2006 in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice against the Company and certain of its officers and directors, alleging violations of Canadian securities laws. This lawsuit was brought on behalf of shareholders who acquired the Company’s securities between February 17, 2006 and August 9, 2006. The lawsuit is in an early procedural stage and seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, as well as costs and expenses. As a result, the Company is unable to estimate a potential loss exposure at this time. For reasons released December 14, 2009, the Court granted leave to the Plaintiffs to amend their statement of claim to plead certain claims pursuant to the Securities Act (Ontario) against the Company and certain individuals and granted certification of the action as a class proceeding. These are procedural decisions, and do not contain any conclusions binding on a judge at trial as to the factual or legal merits of the claim. Leave to appeal those decisions was denied. The Company believes the allegations made against it in the statement of claim are meritless and will vigorously defend the matter, although no assurance can be given with respect to the ultimate outcome of such proceedings. The Company’s directors and officers insurance policy provides for reimbursement of costs and expenses incurred in connection with this lawsuit as well as potential damages awarded, if any, subject to certain policy limits, exclusions and deductibles.

In November 2009, the Company filed suit against Sanborn Theatres (“Sanborn”) in the United States District Court for the Central District of California alleging breach of Sanborn’s agreement to make payments for the purchase of two IMAX theater systems from the Company and seeking $1.7 million in compensatory damages. After granting Sanborn notice of default in connection with the failure to make required payments under the agreement and upon Sanborn’s failure to cure, the Company terminated its agreement with Sanborn. On May 11, 2010, Sanborn filed counterclaims against the Company and AMC Entertainment Inc. (“AMC Entertainment”) and Regal Cinemas, Inc. (“Regal”) in the United States District Court for the Central District of California alleging breach of contract, fraud and unfair competition against the Company and alleging intentional interference with contractual relations against AMC Entertainment and Regal. On June 16, 2011, the district court denied Sanborn’s motion for summary judgment on the Company’s complaint and for summary adjudication on Sanborn’s counterclaim. Sanborn agreed to voluntarily dismiss all counterclaims against AMC Entertainment with prejudice, and the court dismissed AMC Entertainment from the action on November 29, 2011. On October 28, 2011, the Company filed a motion for summary judgment on its breach of contract claim and on Sanborn’s counterclaims, and Regal filed a motion for summary judgment on Sanborn’s counterclaims; the district court denied both motions on January 13, 2012. The Company, Sanborn and Regal entered into a confidential settlement agreement effective February 12, 2012, pursuant to which the Company, Sanborn and Regal settled and resolved all claims relating to this dispute. On February 16, 2012, the Company and Sanborn filed with the district court a joint request for dismissal of the Company’s claim and Sanborn’s counterclaims against both the Company and Regal with prejudice.

In addition to the matters described above, the Company is currently involved in other legal proceedings which, in the opinion of the Company’s management, will not materially affect the Company’s financial position or future operating results, although no assurance can be given with respect to the ultimate outcome of any such proceedings.

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

There were no matters submitted to a vote of the security holders during the quarter ended December 31, 2011.

PART II

Item 5.

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The Company’s common shares are listed for trading under the trading symbol “IMAX” on the NYSE. Prior to February 11, 2011, the Company’s common shares were listed for trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”). The common shares are also listed on the TSX under the trading symbol “IMX.” The following table sets forth the range of high and low sales prices per share for the common shares on NASDAQ and the TSX.


	U.S. Dollars
	High		Low
NYSE
Year ended December 31, 2011
Fourth quarter	$	21.43	$	13.57
Third quarter	$	32.60	$	14.00
Second quarter	$	37.26	$	29.04
First quarter	$	32.35	$	25.57
Year ended December 31, 2010
Fourth quarter	$	32.30	$	16.93
Third quarter	$	17.25	$	12.10
Second quarter	$	21.30	$	14.28
First quarter	$	18.26	$	11.50


	Canadian Dollars
	High		Low
TSX
Year ended December 31, 2011
Fourth quarter	$	21.83	$	14.25
Third quarter	$	31.94	$	13.86
Second quarter	$	36.40	$	28.46
First quarter	$	31.43	$	25.53
Year ended December 31, 2010
Fourth quarter	$	32.56	$	17.20
Third quarter	$	17.69	$	12.78
Second quarter	$	21.45	$	15.02
First quarter	$	18.56	$	12.34

As at January 31, 2012, the Company had approximately 257 registered holders of record of the Company’s common shares.

Within the last three years, the Company has not paid and has no current plans to pay, cash dividends on its common shares. The payment of dividends by the Company is subject to certain restrictions under the terms of the Company’s indebtedness (see note 11 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements in Item 8 and “Liquidity and Capital Resources” in Item 7). The payment of any future dividends will be determined by the Board of Directors in light of conditions then existing, including the Company’s financial condition and requirements, future prospects, restrictions in financing agreements, business conditions and other factors deemed relevant by the Board of Directors.

Equity Compensation Plans

The following table sets forth information regarding the Company’s Equity Compensation Plan as at December 31, 2011:


Plan Category	Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights (a)		Weighted Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options (b)		Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in Column (a)) (c)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders		7,200,721	$	14.60		5,809,827
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders		nil		nil		nil

Total		7,200,721	$	14.60		5,809,827

Performance Graph

The following graph compares the total cumulative shareholder return for $100 invested (assumes that all dividends were reinvested) in common shares of the Company against the cumulative total return of the NYSE Composite Index, the S&P/TSX Composite Index and the Bloomberg Hollywood Reporter Index on December 31, 2006 to the end of the most recently completed fiscal year.

LOGO


	31-Dec-06		31-Dec-07		31-Dec-08		31-Dec-09		31-Dec-10		31-Dec-11
IMAX		100.00		181.38		118.62		353.99		746.54		487.50
NYSE Composite		100.00		106.58		62.99		78.62		87.14		81.81
S&P/TSX Composite		100.00		93.13		51.84		81.15		100.84		90.03
Bloomberg Hollywood Reporter		100.00		89.36		44.92		72.32		93.53		76.23

CERTAIN INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

United States Federal Income Tax Considerations

The following discussion is a general summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the common shares by a holder of common shares that is an individual resident of the United States or a United States corporation (a “U.S. Holder”). This discussion does not discuss all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to investors subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax law (including, for example, owners of 10.0% or more of the voting shares of the Company).

Distributions on Common Shares

In general, distributions (without reduction for Canadian withholding taxes) paid by the Company with respect to the common shares will be taxed to a U.S. Holder as dividend income to the extent that such distributions do not exceed the current and accumulated earnings and profits of the Company (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes). Subject to certain limitations, under current law dividends paid to non-corporate U.S. Holders in taxable years beginning before January 1, 2013 may be eligible for a reduced rate of taxation as long as the Company is considered to be a “qualified foreign corporation”. A qualified foreign corporation includes a foreign corporation that is eligible for the benefits of an income tax treaty with the United States. The amount of a distribution that exceeds the earnings and profits of the Company will be treated first as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the common shares and thereafter as taxable capital gain. Corporate holders generally will not be allowed a deduction for dividends received in respect of distributions on common shares. Subject to the limitations set forth in the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, as modified by the U.S.-Canada Income Tax Treaty, U.S. Holders may elect to claim a foreign tax credit against their U.S. federal income tax liability for Canadian income tax withheld from dividends. Alternatively, U.S. Holders may claim a deduction for such amounts of Canadian tax withheld.

Disposition of Common Shares

Upon the sale or other disposition of common shares, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale and such holder’s tax basis in the common shares. Gain or loss upon the disposition of the common shares will be long-term if, at the time of the disposition, the common shares have been held for more than one year. Long-term capital gains of non-corporate U.S. Holders may be eligible for a reduced rate of taxation. The deduction of capital losses is subject to limitations for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations

This summary is applicable to a holder or prospective purchaser of common shares who, for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and any applicable treaty and at all relevant times, is not (and is not deemed to be) resident in Canada, does not (and is not deemed to) use or hold the common shares in, or in the course of, carrying on a business in Canada, and is not an insurer that carries on an insurance business in Canada and elsewhere.

This summary is based on the current provisions of the Income Tax Act (Canada), the regulations thereunder, all specific proposals to amend such Act and regulations publicly announced by or on behalf of the Minister of Finance (Canada) prior to the date hereof and the Company’s understanding of the administrative and assessing practices published in writing by the Canada Revenue Agency prior to the date hereof. This summary does not otherwise take into account any change in law or administrative practice, whether by judicial, governmental, legislative or administrative decision or action, nor does it take into account other federal or provincial, territorial or foreign tax consequences, which may vary from the Canadian federal income tax considerations described herein.

This summary is of a general nature only and it is not intended to be, nor should it be construed to be, legal or tax advice to any holder of the common shares and no representation with respect to Canadian federal income tax consequences to any holder of common shares is made herein. Accordingly, prospective purchasers and holders of the common shares should consult their own tax advisers with respect to their individual circumstances.

Dividends on Common Shares

Canadian withholding tax at a rate of 25.0% (subject to reduction under the provisions of any relevant tax treaty) will be payable on dividends (or amounts paid on account or in lieu of payment of, or in satisfaction of, dividends) paid or credited to a holder of common shares outside of Canada. Under the Canada—U.S. Income Tax Convention (1980), as amended (the “Canada—U.S. Income Tax Treaty”) the withholding tax rate is generally reduced to 15.0% for a holder entitled to the benefits of the Canada—U.S. Income Tax Treaty who is the beneficial owner of the dividends (or 5.0% if the holder is a company that owns at least 10.0% of the common shares).

Capital Gains and Losses

Subject to the provisions of any relevant tax treaty, capital gains realized by a holder on the disposition or deemed disposition of common shares held as capital property will not be subject to Canadian tax unless the common shares are taxable Canadian property (as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada)), in which case the capital gains will be subject to Canadian tax at rates which will approximate those payable by a Canadian resident. Common shares generally will not be taxable Canadian property to a holder provided that, at the time of the disposition or deemed disposition, the common shares are listed on a designated stock exchange (which currently includes the TSX) unless at any time within the 60 month period immediately preceding such time (a) such holder, persons with whom such holder did not deal at arm’s length or such holder together with all such persons, owned 25.0% or more of the issued shares of any class or series of shares of the Company and (b) more than 50% of the fair market value of the common shares was derived directly or indirectly from one or any combination of (i) real or immovable property situated in Canada, (ii) Canadian resource properties, (iii) timber resource properties, and (iv) options in respect of, or interests in, or for civil law rights in, property described in any of paragraphs (i) to (iii), whether or not the property exists. In certain circumstances set out in the Income Tax Act (Canada), the common shares may be deemed to be taxable Canadian property. Under the Canada-U.S. Income Tax Treaty, a holder entitled to the benefits of the Canada—U.S. Income Tax Treaty and to whom the common shares are taxable Canadian property will not be subject to Canadian tax on the disposition or deemed disposition of the common shares unless at the time of disposition or deemed disposition, the value of the common shares is derived principally from real property situated in Canada.

Item 6.

Selected Financial Data

The selected financial data set forth below is derived from the consolidated financial information of the Company. The financial information has been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. All financial information referred to herein is expressed in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted.


	Years Ended December 31,
*(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)*	2011			2010			2009			2008			2007
Statements of Operations Data:
Revenue
Equipment and product sales	$	85,016		$	72,578		$	57,304		$	27,853		$	32,500
Services		106,720			123,911			82,052			61,477			64,972
Rentals		34,810			46,936			25,758			8,207			7,107
Finance income		6,162			4,789			4,235			4,300			4,649
Other⁽¹⁾		3,848			400			1,862			881			2,427

		236,556			248,614			171,211			102,718			111,655

Costs and expenses applicable to revenues
Equipment and product sales⁽²⁾⁽³⁾		38,742			36,394			29,040			17,182			21,546
Services⁽²⁾⁽³⁾		69,277			63,425			49,891			40,771			46,254
Rentals⁽³⁾		14,301			11,111			10,093			7,043			2,987
Other		1,018			32			635			169			50

		123,338			110,962			89,659			65,165			70,837

Gross margin		113,218			137,652			81,552			37,553			40,818
Selling, general and administrative expenses⁽⁴⁾		72,779			78,428			56,207			43,681			44,716
Provision for arbitration award⁽⁵⁾		2,055			—			—			—			—
Research and development		7,829			6,249			3,755			7,461			5,789
Amortization of intangibles		465			513			546			526			547
Receivable provisions, net of recoveries		1,570			1,443			1,067			1,977			1,795
Asset impairments⁽⁶⁾		28			45			180			—			485

Income (loss) from operations		28,492			50,974			19,797			(16,092	)		(12,514	)
Interest income		57			399			98			381			862
Interest expense		(1,827	)		(1,885	)		(13,845	)		(17,707	)		(17,093	)
Loss on repurchase of Senior Notes due December 2010⁽⁷⁾		—			—			(579	)		—			—

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes		26,722			49,488			5,471			(33,418	)		(28,745	)
(Provision for) recovery of income taxes⁽⁸⁾		(9,388	)		51,784			(274	)		(92	)		(472	)
Loss from equity-accounted investments		(1,791	)		(493	)		—			—			—

Net income (loss) from continuing operations		15,543			100,779			5,197			(33,510	)		(29,217	)
Net (loss) income from discontinued operations⁽⁹⁾		—			—			(176	)		(92	)		2,277

Net income (loss)	$	15,543		$	100,779		$	5,021		$	(33,602	)	$	(26,940	)

Net income (loss) per share:
Net income (loss) per share—basic:
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.24		$	1.59		$	0.10		$	(0.79	)	$	(0.72	)
Net income from discontinued operations	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	0.05

	$	0.24		$	1.59		$	0.10		$	(0.79	)	$	(0.67	)

Net income (loss) per share—diluted:
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.23		$	1.51		$	0.09		$	(0.79	)	$	(0.72	)
Net income from discontinued operations	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	0.05

	$	0.23		$	1.51		$	0.09		$	(0.79	)	$	(0.67	)

(1)

The Company enters into theater system arrangements with customers that typically contain customer payment obligations prior to the scheduled installation of the theater systems. During the period of time between signing and theater system installation, certain customers each year are unable to, or elect not to, proceed with the theater system installation for a number of reasons, including business considerations, or the inability to obtain certain consents, approvals or financing. Once the determination is made that the customer will not proceed with installation, the customer and/or the Company may terminate the arrangement by default or by entering into a consensual buyout. In these situations the parties are released from their future obligations under the arrangement, and the initial payments that the customer previously made to the Company and recognized as revenue are typically not refunded. In addition, the Company enters into agreements with customers to terminate their obligations for a theater system configuration and enter into a new arrangement for a different configuration. Other revenues from settlement arrangements were $3.8 million, $0.4 million, $1.9 million, $0.9 million, and $2.2 million in 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

(2)

In 2011, the Company recognized a charge of $nil related to inventory. In prior years, the Company has recorded a charge to costs and expenses applicable to revenues, primarily for its film-based projector inventories, due to a reduction in the net realizable value resulting from the Company development of a digital projection system. Included for the periods 2007 through 2011 are the following inventory write-downs:


	2011		2010		2009		2008		2007
Equipment and product sales	$	—	$	827	$	48	$	2,397	$	3,284
Services		—		172		849		93		564

	$	—	$	999	$	897	$	2,490	$	3,848

(3)	The Company recorded advertising, marketing, and commission costs for the periods 2007 through 2011 as listed below:


	2011		2010		2009		2008		2007
Equipment and product sales	$	2,394	$	1,925	$	2,041	$	1,035	$	810
Services		5,648		2,793		2,381		1,622		1,755
Rentals		5,432		4,236		3,405		1,788		177

Advertising, marketing, and commission costs	$	13,474	$	8,954	$	7,827	$	4,445	$	2,742

(4)	Includes share-based compensation expense of $11.7 million, $26.0 million, $17.5 million, $1.0 million and $2.9 million for 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

(5)

During 2011, the Company recorded a provision of $2.1 million regarding an award issued in connection with an arbitration proceeding brought against the Company, relating to agreements entered into in 1994 and 1995 by its former Ridefilm subsidiary, whose business the Company discontinued through a sale to a third party in March 2001. Subsequent to year-end the award was vacated as the parties entered into a confidential settlement agreement in which the parties agreed to dismiss any outstanding disputes among them. See note 13(c) of the audited consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of the Company’s 2011 Form-10K for more information.

(6)

In 2011, the Company recorded asset impairment charges of less than $0.1 million related to the impairment of assets of certain theater operations. Asset impairment charges amounted to less than $0.1 million, $0.2 million, $nil and $0.5 million in 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, after the Company assessed the carrying value of certain assets.

(7)

In 2009, the Company repurchased all of its outstanding $160.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 9.625% Senior Notes. The Company paid cash to reacquire its bonds, thereby releasing the Company from further obligations to various holders under the Indenture governing the Senior Notes. The Company accounted for the bond repurchase in accordance with the Debt Topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification whereby the net carrying amount of the debt extinguished was the face value of the bonds adjusted for any unamortized premium, discount and costs of issuance, which resulted in a loss of $0.6 million.

(8)

The recovery for income taxes in the year ended December 31, 2010 includes a net non-cash income tax benefit of $54.8 million related to a decrease in the valuation allowance for the Company’s deferred tax assets and other tax adjustments. This release of the valuation allowance was recorded after it was determined that realization of this deferred income tax benefit is now more likely than not based on current and anticipated future earnings trends.

(9)

In 2009, the Company closed its owned and operated Vancouver and Tempe IMAX theaters. The net (loss) income from the operation of the theaters are reflected as discontinued operations and disclosed in note 22(c) to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements in Item 8, as there are no continuing cash flows from either a migration or a continuation of activities

BALANCE SHEET DATA


*(in thousands of U.S. dollars)*	As at December 31,
*(in thousands of U.S. dollars)*	2011		2010		2009		2008			2007
Cash and cash equivalents	$	18,138	$	30,390	$	20,081	$	27,017		$	16,901
Total assets⁽¹⁾	$	406,236	$	349,088	$	247,545	$	228,667		$	207,982
Total indebtedness	$	55,083	$	17,500	$	50,000	$	180,000		$	160,000
Total shareholders’ equity (deficiency)	$	192,907	$	158,458	$	45,010	$	(96,774	)	$	(85,370	)

(1)	Includes the assets of discontinued operations.

QUARTERLY STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (UNAUDITED)


*(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)*	2011
	Q1			Q2		Q3		Q4
Revenues	$	45,160		$	57,232	$	67,488	$	66,676
Costs and expenses applicable to revenues		24,514			30,930		31,050		36,844

Gross margin	$	20,646		$	26,302	$	36,438	$	29,832

Net (loss) income	$	(1,003	)	$	1,825	$	8,392	$	6,329

Net (loss) income per share—basic	$	(0.02	)	$	0.03	$	0.13	$	0.10
Net (loss) income per share—diluted	$	(0.02	)	$	0.03	$	0.12	$	0.10


	2010
	Q1		Q2		Q3		Q4⁽¹⁾
Revenues	$	72,784	$	55,598	$	51,069	$	69,163
Costs and expenses applicable to revenues		24,484		28,558		25,140		32,780

Gross margin	$	48,300	$	27,040	$	25,929	$	36,383

Net income	$	26,580	$	13,302	$	6,736	$	54,161

Net income per share—basic	$	0.42	$	0.21	$	0.11	$	0.85
Net income per share—diluted	$	0.40	$	0.20	$	0.10	$	0.80

(1)	Net earnings from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2010 includes a release of the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets of $54.8 million. See note 9 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for further details.

Item 7.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

GENERAL

The Company derives revenue principally from the sale or long-term lease of IMAX theater systems and associated maintenance and extended warranty services, the installation of IMAX theater systems under joint revenue sharing arrangements, the provision of film production and digital re-mastering services, the distribution of certain films, and the provision of post-production services, including the conversion of two-dimensional (“2D”) and three-dimensional (“3D”) Hollywood feature films for exhibition on IMAX theater systems around the world. The Company also derives revenue from the operation of its own theaters, camera rentals and the provision of aftermarket parts for its system components.

The Company believes the IMAX theater network is the most extensive premium theater network in the world with 634 IMAX theaters (517 commercial, 117 institutional) operating in 50 countries as at December 31, 2011. This compares to 518 IMAX theaters (396 commercial, 122 institutional) operating in 46 countries as at December 31, 2010.

Important factors that the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) Richard L. Gelfond uses in assessing the Company’s business and prospects include revenue, gross margins from the Company’s operating segments, the signing and financial performance of theater system arrangements (particularly its joint revenue sharing arrangements), film performance, installations, earnings from operations as adjusted for unusual items that the Company views as non-recurring, the securing of new film projects (particularly IMAX DMR films), the continuing ability to invest in and improve the Company’s technology to enhance its differentiation of presentation versus other cinematic experiences and the viability of new businesses, the overall execution, reliability and consumer acceptance of The IMAX Experience and related technologies and short- and long-term cash flow projections.

During 2011, the Company formed IMAX (Shanghai) Multimedia Technology Co., Ltd (“IMAX China”), a wholly-owned foreign subsidiary of the Company to further expand the Company’s presence in China, currently its second-largest and fastest-growing market. In September 2011, the Company announced the appointment of Mr. Jiande Chen to the position of Chief Executive Officer of IMAX China. As at December 31, 2011, IMAX China had offices in Shanghai and Beijing and 29 employees. On February 18, 2012, the U.S. and China announced an agreement to allow 14 additional IMAX or 3D format Hollywood films to be released in China, with distributors permitted to receive higher distribution fees. The Company believes this is an extremely positive development for its business in China and elsewhere.

IMAX Systems, Theater System Maintenance and Joint Revenue Sharing Arrangements

The Company provides IMAX theater systems to customers on a sales or long-term lease basis, typically with initial terms of approximately 10 years. These agreements typically provide for three major sources of cash flows: initial fees, ongoing fees (which can include a fixed minimum amount per annum and contingent fees in excess of the minimum payments) and maintenance and extended warranty fees. The initial fees vary depending on the system configuration and location of the theater and generally are paid to the Company in installments

commencing upon the signing of the agreement. Finance income is derived over the term of the sales or sales-type lease arrangement as the unearned income on financed sales or sales-type leases is earned. Ongoing fees are paid monthly over the term of the contract, commencing after the theater system has been installed and are generally equal to the greater of a fixed minimum amount per annum or a percentage of box-office receipts. Both ongoing fees and maintenance and extended warranty fees are typically indexed to a local consumer price index.

The revenue earned from customers under the Company’s theater system lease or sales agreements can vary from quarter to quarter and year to year based on a number of factors including the mix of theater system configurations sold or leased, the timing of installation of the theater systems, the nature of the arrangement and other factors specific to individual contracts, although the typical rent or sales price for its various theater system configurations does not generally vary significantly from region to region. The Company has taken steps in recent years to accelerate the growth of the global IMAX theater network and the sale or lease of its products by developing a lower-cost theater system and a new digitally-based theater system, both designed to appeal to broader customer bases, particularly in commercial multiplex markets. Although these theater systems are lower-cost, the Company has endeavored to successfully maintain its per unit margins on a percentage basis and to maintain the aggregate revenues and gross margins through increased volume. The Company has signed a number of deals for digital upgrades to its commercial customers and intends to continue to sell these digital upgrades in the future at lower margins than its traditional deals for strategic reasons since the Company believes that digital systems increase flexibility and profitability for the Company’s existing exhibition customers.

Revenues on theater system sales and sales-type leases are recognized at different times than when cash is collected.

The Company also offers certain commercial clients joint revenue sharing arrangements pursuant to which the Company provides the projection system, sound system, screen system and, if applicable, 3D glasses cleaning machine, theater design support, supervision of installation, projectionist training and the use of the IMAX brand (the “System Deliverable”) in return for a portion of the customer’s IMAX box-office receipts, concession revenue and in some cases a small upfront or initial payment. Pursuant to these revenue sharing arrangements, the Company retains title to the theater system (including the projector, the sound system and the projection screen) and rent payments are contingent, instead of fixed or determinable. The Company has the right to remove the equipment for non-payment or other defaults by the customer. The contracts are generally non-cancellable by the customer unless the Company fails to perform its obligations. In certain cases, the contract provides certain thresholds that, if not met by either party, allow the other party to terminate the agreement. Joint revenue sharing arrangements generally have a 7 to 10-year initial term and may be renewed by the customer for an additional term.

The introduction of joint revenue sharing arrangements has been an important factor in the expansion of the Company’s commercial theater network, which has grown by approximately 123.8% since 2008. Joint revenue sharing arrangements allow commercial theater exhibitors to install IMAX theater systems without the significant initial capital investment required in a lease or sale arrangement. Since customers under joint revenue sharing arrangements pay the Company a portion of their ongoing box office and concession revenue, joint revenue sharing arrangements also drive recurring cash flows and earnings for the Company. As the Company continues to expand its number of theaters under joint revenue sharing arrangements, the Company anticipates cash flows and earnings from joint revenue sharing arrangements will be increasingly an important driver of recurring revenue for the Company. The retirement of a significant portion of the Company’s debt during 2009, increased cash flows from operations during 2009, 2010 and 2011 and the Company’s expanded credit facility has allowed the Company the financial flexibility to fund the expansion of its joint revenue sharing strategy. The Company cautions that as an increasing portion of its revenues are derived from theaters under joint revenue sharing arrangements, it is increasingly subject to the success or failure of its IMAX DMR film slate. As at December 31, 2011, the Company has entered into joint revenue sharing arrangements for 376 systems, 257 of which were in operation as at December 31, 2011, a 50.3% increase as compared to the 171 joint revenue sharing arrangements open as at December 31, 2010.

The revenue earned from customers under the Company’s joint revenue sharing arrangements can vary from quarter to quarter and year to year based on a number of factors including film performance, the mix of theater system configurations, the timing of installation of the theater systems, the nature of the arrangement, the location, size and management of the theater and other factors specific to individual arrangements. Revenue on theater systems under joint revenue sharing arrangements is recognized when box-office and concession revenues are reported by the theater operator, provided collection is reasonably assured.

An annual maintenance and extended warranty fee is generally payable, except for theater systems under joint revenue sharing arrangements, commencing in the second year of theater operations. Both ongoing fees and maintenance and extended warranty fees are typically indexed to a local consumer price index.

See “Critical Accounting Policies” below for further discussion on the Company’s revenue recognition policies.

Theater Network

The following chart shows the number of the Company’s theater systems by configuration in the theater network as at December 31:


	2011			2010
	Theater Network Base			Theater Network Base
Flat Screen (2D)		26	⁽¹⁾		30	⁽²⁾
Dome Screen (2D)		60			66
IMAX 3D Dome (3D)		2			3
IMAX 3D GT (3D)		69	⁽¹⁾		80	⁽²⁾
IMAX 3D SR (3D)		28	⁽¹⁾		44	⁽²⁾
IMAX MPX (3D)		6	⁽¹⁾		19	⁽²⁾
IMAX digital (3D)		443	⁽¹⁾		276	⁽²⁾

Total		634			518

(1)	In 2011, the Company upgraded 33 film-based IMAX theater systems to IMAX digital theater systems (all sales arrangements).

(2)	In 2010, the Company upgraded 32 film-based IMAX theater systems to IMAX digital theater systems (30 sales arrangements and 2 joint revenue sharing arrangements).

The Company installed 137 IMAX theater systems, not including digital upgrades, in 2011. At year-end, this reflected an increase of 22.4% for the overall IMAX theater network and 33.2% for the IMAX commercial multiplex theater network over the prior year.

Approximately 58.5% of IMAX systems in operation are located in the United States and Canada compared to 61.2% last year. Approximately 16.0% of IMAX theater systems arrangements in backlog are scheduled to be installed in the United States and Canada compared to 33.9% last year. The commercial exhibitor market in the United States and Canada represents an important customer base for the Company in terms of both collections under existing arrangements and potential future theater system contracts. The Company has targeted these operators for the sale or lease of its IMAX digital projection system, as well as for joint revenue sharing arrangements. While the Company is pleased with its progress in the U.S. and Canadian commercial exhibitor market, there is no assurance that the Company’s progress in those countries will continue, particularly as a higher percentage of markets are penetrated, or that the Company’s U.S. and Canadian commercial exhibitors will not encounter future financial difficulties. To minimize the Company’s credit risk in this area, the Company retains title to the underlying theater systems leased, performs initial and ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and makes ongoing provisions for its estimates of potentially uncollectible amounts.

As at December 31, 2011, approximately 41.5% of IMAX systems in operation were located within international markets (defined as all countries other than the United States and Canada), as compared to 38.8% as at December 31, 2010. The Company expects growth in international markets to be an increasingly significant part of its business. Of the Company’s 209 theater signings in 2011, 155 were signings for theaters in international markets. Consequently, approximately 84.0% of IMAX theater system arrangements in backlog as at December 31, 2011 are scheduled to be installed within international markets, compared with 66.1% as at December 31, 2010. The Company intends to continue to seek international expansion in 2012, most notably in Greater China, India, Central and South America and Western Europe.

As at December 31, 2011, 191 (2010 – 145) of the 257 (2010 – 171) joint revenue sharing arrangements in operation, or 74.3% (2010 – 84.8%) were located in the United States and Canada, with the remaining 66 (2010 – 26) arrangements being located in international markets. The Company continues to seek to expand its number of joint revenue sharing arrangements it has in select international markets.

Sales Backlog

The Company’s sales backlog fluctuates in both number of systems and dollar value from quarter to quarter depending on the signing of new theater system arrangements, which adds to backlog, and the installation and acceptance of theater systems and the settlement of contracts, both of which reduce backlog. Sales backlog typically represents the fixed contracted revenue under signed theater system sale and lease agreements that the Company believes will be recognized as revenue upon installation and acceptance of the associated theater. Sales backlog includes initial fees along with the estimated present value of contractual ongoing fees due over the lease term, but excludes amounts allocated to maintenance and extended warranty revenues as well as fees in excess of contractual ongoing fees that may be received in the future. The value of sales backlog does not include revenue from theaters in which the Company has an equity interest, operating leases, letters of intent or long-term conditional theater commitments. Certain theater systems under joint revenue sharing arrangements carry a backlog value based on contracted upfront payments. The Company believes that the contractual obligations for theater system installations that are listed in sales backlog are valid and binding commitments.

The Company’s sales backlog is as follows:


	December 31, 2011					December 31, 2010
	Number of Systems			Dollar Value *(in thousands)*		Number of Systems			Dollar Value *(in thousands)*
Sales and sale-type lease arrangements		144	⁽¹⁾	$	176,184		165	⁽¹⁾	$	179,231	⁽²⁾
Joint revenue sharing arrangements		119			21,516		59			n/a

		263		$	197,700		224		$	179,231

(1)	Includes 10 upgrades from film-based IMAX theater systems to IMAX digital theater systems as at December 31, 2011, and 25 upgrades from film-based IMAX theater systems to IMAX digital theater systems as at December 31, 2010.

(2)	Dollar value incorporates revisions based on contracts renegotiated subsequent to December 31, 2010.

The Company’s theater signings are as follows:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2011					2010
	Number of Systems			Dollar Value *(in millions)*		Number of Systems			Dollar Value *(in millions)*
Full new sales and sale-type lease arrangements		58	⁽¹⁾	$	75.1		95	⁽¹⁾	$	112.6
Joint revenue sharing arrangements		132	⁽²⁾		14.8		71	⁽²⁾		n/a

Total arrangements for new theaters		190			89.9		166			112.6
Digital upgrades under sales and sale-type lease arrangements		19	⁽³⁾		10.0		55	⁽³⁾		24.0

Total		209		$	99.9		221		$	136.6

(1)	Includes 12 installations in 2011 and 46 in backlog as at December 31, 2011 (24 installations in 2010 and 71 in backlog as at December 31, 2010).

(2)	Includes 41 installations in 2011 and 91 in backlog as at December 31, 2011 (20 installations in 2010 and 51 in backlog as at December 31, 2010).

(3)	Includes 8 installations in 2011 and 11 in backlog as at December 31, 2011 (28 installations in 2010 and 27 in backlog as at December 31, 2010).

The Company’s backlog of sales and sale-type lease arrangements can be segregated both by territory of future installation and by customer type. The percentage of backlog relevant to each territory (based on installed dollar value of anticipated theater system revenue as at December 31, 2011) is as follows: Asia—45.9%, Central and South America—24.5%, Europe—17.1%, North America (excluding Mexico)—9.4%, Middle East—2.4% and Africa—0.7%. In addition, 98.6% of backlog represents future installations to commercial theater customers and 1.4% to institutional customers.

The Company’s backlog of theater systems under joint revenue sharing arrangements can be segregated by both territory of future installation and by customer type. The percentage of backlog relevant to each territory (based on the number of systems at December 31, 2011) is as follows: Asia—74.0%, North America (excluding Mexico)—20.2%, Europe—4.2%, Japan—0.8% and Australia—0.8%. All 119 theater systems under joint revenue sharing arrangements in backlog are for commercial theater customers.

The Company estimates that approximately 100 (excluding digital upgrades) of the 263 theater systems arrangements currently in backlog will be installed in 2012, with the remainder being installed in subsequent periods. The Company also anticipates that it will install a number of the digital system upgrades in backlog in 2012. In addition, each year the Company installs a number of systems that are signed in that same calendar year. The Company expects that additional theater system arrangements not currently in backlog will be signed and installed in 2012. In 2011, 39% of the 137 new theaters installed were from theater agreements that were signed in the calendar year 2011. However, the Company cautions that theater system installations slip from period to period in the course of the Company’s business and such slippages remain a recurring and unpredictable part of its business. The configuration of the Company’s backlog as at December 31, 2011, by product type is disclosed on page 8 of the Company’s 2011 Form 10-K.

In the normal course of its business, from time to time the Company, will have customers who, for a number of reasons, including the inability to obtain certain consents, approvals or financing, are unable to proceed with a theater system installation. Once the determination is made that the customer will not proceed with installation, the agreement with the customer is generally terminated or amended. If the agreement is terminated, once the Company and the customer are released from all their future obligations under the agreement, all or a portion of the initial rents or fees that the customer previously made to the Company are recognized as revenue.

Film Production and Digital Re-Mastering (IMAX DMR)

The Company developed a proprietary technology to digitally re-master Hollywood films into IMAX digital cinema package (“DCP”) format or 15/70-format film at a modest cost incurred by the Company for exhibition in IMAX theaters. This system, known as IMAX DMR, digitally enhances the image resolution of motion picture films for projection on IMAX screens while maintaining or enhancing the visual clarity and sound quality to levels for which The IMAX Experience is known. This technology opened the IMAX theater network up to releases of Hollywood films, particularly new films which are released to IMAX theaters simultaneously with their broader domestic release. The development of this technology was key to helping the Company execute its strategy of expanding its commercial theater network by establishing IMAX theaters as a key, premium distribution platform for Hollywood films. In 2011, 25 films converted through the IMAX DMR process were released to IMAX theaters (15 films converted through the IMAX DMR process were released in 2010). To date, the Company has announced the release of 16 IMAX DMR titles to IMAX theaters in 2012. The Company remains in active discussions with every major Hollywood studio regarding future titles for both 2012 and beyond, and expects a similar number of IMAX DMR films to be released to the IMAX network in 2012 as in 2011.

Films produced by the Company are typically financed through third parties, whereby the Company will generally receive a film production fee in exchange for producing the film and a distribution fee for distributing the film. The ownership rights to such films may be held by the film sponsors, the film investors and/or the Company. The Company utilizes third-party funding for the majority of original films it produces and distributes. In 2011, the Company, along with Warner Bros. Pictures (“WB”), released Born to be Wild 3D: An IMAX 3D Experience. In 2010, the Company, along with WB, released Hubble 3D: An IMAX 3D Experience. In 2009, the Company, along with WB, released Under the Sea 3D: An IMAX 3D Experience. Furthermore, in April 2012, the Company, along with WB and MacGillivray Freeman Films, will release To the Arctic 3D: An IMAX 3D Experience.

Film Distribution

The Company is a significant distributor of large-format films. The Company generally distributes films which it produced or for which it has acquired distribution rights from independent producers. The Company generally receives a percentage of the theater box-office receipts as a distribution fee.

Other

As at December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had four owned and operated theaters. The results from theaters which closed in a prior year are presented as discontinued operations in prior years as the continuing cash flows are not generated from either a migration or a continuation of activities. In addition, the Company has a commercial arrangement with one theater resulting in the sharing of profits and losses and provides management services to two theaters. Furthermore, the Company’s operations also include camera rentals and the sale of 3D glasses.

INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES

A significant portion of the Company’s sales are made to customers located outside the United States and Canada. During 2011, 2010, and 2009, approximately 46%, 39% and 40%, respectively, of the Company’s revenue was derived outside the United States and Canada. The Company believes that its international expansion is an important driver of future growth for the Company. In fact, during 2011, 47.6% of the Company’s gross box-office from DMR films was generated in international markets, as compared with 39.4% in 2010. In 2011, 155 of the Company’s 209 theater signings were for theaters in international markets. As at December 31, 2011, approximately 84.0% of IMAX theater systems arrangements in backlog were scheduled to be installed in international markets. Accordingly, the Company expects that international operations will continue to be a significant portion of the Company’s revenue in the future and the Company intends to actively

expand its international presence, including by expanding its number of theaters under international joint revenue sharing arrangements.

During 2011, the Company formed IMAX (China) to enable further growth in China, the Company’s second-largest and fastest-growing market. As at December 31, 2011, the Company had 88 theaters operating in Greater China with an additional 124 theaters in backlog that are scheduled to be installed in Greater China by 2017. The Company believes that favorable market trends in China, including government initiatives to help enable cinema screen growth and to support the film industry, present opportunities for significant additional growth. In March 2011, the Company announced a 75-theatre joint revenue sharing arrangement with Wanda Cinema Line (“Wanda”), China’s top grossing cinema chain. This agreement with Wanda, which represents IMAX’s first full and largest revenue-sharing arrangement in China to date, bringing the total number of IMAX theaters open or in backlog in Greater China to 212. Under the terms of the new revenue sharing arrangement, IMAX installed its digital technology in 30 of Wanda’s multiplex locations in 2011, with the remaining theaters scheduled to be rolled out in 2012, 2013 and 2014. On February 18, 2012, the U.S. and China announced an agreement to allow 14 additional IMAX or 3D format Hollywood films to be released in China, with distributors permitted to receive higher distribution fees. The Company believes this is an extremely positive development for its business in China and elsewhere.

To support growth in international markets, the Company has sought to bolster its international film slate through international DMR opportunities, releases to select international markets and early international releases. During 2011, two Chinese IMAX DMR titles were released to IMAX theaters in Greater China, The Founding of the Party: The IMAX Experience and Flying Swords of Dragon Gate: An IMAX 3D Experience and one title in Korea, Sector 7: An IMAX 3D Experience. For 2012, Chinese Zodiac: An IMAX 3D Experience, a Chinese IMAX DMR film, and HOUBA! On the Trail of the Marsupilami: The IMAX Experience, a French IMAX DMR film, will be released to IMAX theaters and the Company expects to announce several additional IMAX international DMR films in both Asia and Europe. In recent years, the Company, along with its studio partners, has employed a strategy of releasing in select international markets, certain IMAX DMR films earlier than the films’ broader release. The Company anticipates announcing additional IMAX international early releases in the future.

During 2012, the Company intends to focus increasingly on a number of its less penetrated international markets, including Latin America, Western Europe and India. On January 17, 2012, the Company announced that it had restructured its master license agreement in South America with Giencourt Investments, S.A., in order to play a more active role in that market and to accelerate the roll-out of IMAX theaters across South America.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Company prepares its consolidated financial statements in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”).

The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates, including those related to selling prices associated with the individual elements in multiple element arrangements; residual values of leased theater systems; economic lives of leased assets; allowances for potential uncollectibility of accounts receivable, financing receivables and net investment in leases; provisions for inventory obsolescence; ultimate revenues for film assets; impairment provisions for film assets, long-lived assets and goodwill; depreciable lives of property, plant and equipment; useful lives of intangible assets; pension plan and post retirement assumptions; accruals for contingencies including tax contingencies; valuation allowances for deferred income tax assets; and, estimates of the fair value and expected exercise dates of stock-based payment awards. Management bases its estimates on historic experience, future expectations and other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable at the date of the consolidated financial statements. Actual results may differ from these estimates due to uncertainty involved in measuring, at a specific point in time, events which are continuous in nature, and differences may be material. The Company’s significant

accounting policies are discussed in note 2 to its audited consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of the Company’s 2011 Form 10-K.

The Company considers the following significant estimates, assumptions and judgments to have the most significant effect on its results:

Revenue Recognition

The Company generates revenue from various sources as follows:

•

design, manufacture, sale and lease of proprietary theater systems for IMAX theaters principally owned and operated by commercial and institutional customers located in 50 countries as at December 31, 2011;

•

production, digital re-mastering, post-production and/or distribution of certain films shown throughout the IMAX theater network;

•

operation of certain IMAX theaters primarily in the United States;

•

provision of other services to the IMAX theater network, including ongoing maintenance and extended warranty services for IMAX theater systems; and

•

other activities, which includes short-term rental of cameras and aftermarket sales of projector system components.

Multiple Element Arrangements

The Company’s revenue arrangements with certain customers may involve multiple elements consisting of a theater system (projector, sound system, screen system and, if applicable, 3D glasses cleaning machine); services associated with the theater system including theater design support, supervision of installation, and projectionist training; a license to use of the IMAX brand; 3D glasses; maintenance and extended warranty services; and licensing of films. The Company evaluates all elements in an arrangement to determine what are considered typical deliverables for accounting purposes and which of the deliverables represent separate units of accounting based on the applicable accounting guidance in the Leases Topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC” or “Codification”); the Guarantees Topic of the FASB ASC; the Entertainment—Films Topic of the FASB ASC; and the Revenue Recognition Topic of the FASB ASC. If separate units of accounting are either required under the relevant accounting standards or determined to be applicable under the Revenue Recognition Topic, the total consideration received or receivable in the arrangement is allocated based on the applicable guidance in the above noted standards.

Theater Systems

The Company has identified the projection system, sound system, screen system and, if applicable, 3D glasses cleaning machine, theater design support, supervision of installation, projectionist training and the use of the IMAX brand to be a single deliverable and a single unit of accounting (the “System Deliverable”). When an arrangement does not include all the elements of a System Deliverable, the elements of the System Deliverable included in the arrangement are considered by the Company to be a single deliverable and a single unit of accounting. The Company is not responsible for the physical installation of the equipment in the customer’s facility; however, the Company supervises the installation by the customer. The customer has the right to use the IMAX brand from the date the Company and the customer enter into an arrangement.

The Company’s System Deliverable arrangements involve either a lease or a sale of the theater system. Consideration in the Company’s arrangements that are not joint revenue sharing arrangements, consists of upfront or initial payments made before and after the final installation of the theater system equipment and ongoing payments throughout the term of the lease or over a period of time, as specified in the arrangement. The ongoing payments are the greater of an annual fixed minimum amount or a certain percentage of the theater

box-office. Amounts received in excess of the annual fixed minimum amounts are considered contingent payments. The Company’s arrangements are non-cancellable, unless the Company fails to perform its obligations. In the absence of a material default by the Company, there is no right to any remedy for the customer under the Company’s arrangements. If a material default by the Company exists, the customer has the right to terminate the arrangement and seek a refund only if the customer provides notice to the Company of a material default and only if the Company does not cure the default within a specified period.

Sales Arrangements

For arrangements qualifying as sales, the revenue allocated to the System Deliverable is recognized in accordance with the Revenue Recognition Topic of the FASB ASC, when all of the following conditions have been met: (i) the projector, sound system and screen system have been installed and are in full working condition, (ii) the 3D glasses cleaning machine, if applicable, has been delivered, (iii) projectionist training has been completed, and (iv) the earlier of (a) receipt of written customer acceptance certifying the completion of installation and run-in testing of the equipment and the completion of projectionist training or (b) public opening of the theater, provided there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the price is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured.

The initial revenue recognized consists of the initial payments received and the present value of any future initial payments and fixed minimum ongoing payments that have been attributed to this unit of accounting. Contingent payments in excess of the fixed minimum ongoing payments are recognized when reported by theater operators, provided collectibility is reasonably assured.

The Company has also agreed, on occasion, to sell equipment under lease or at the end of a lease term. Consideration agreed to for these lease buyouts is included in revenues from equipment and product sales, when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the fees are fixed or determinable, collectibility is reasonably assured and title to the theater system passes from the Company to the customer.

In a certain sales arrangement not subject to the provisions of the amended FASB ASC 605-25, “Revenue Recognition: Multiple-Element Arrangements” (“ASC 605-25”), the Company provided a customer with digital upgrades on several systems, including several specified upgrades to an as-of-yet undeveloped product. At the current period-end, the Company has not yet established the fair value of this product, and as a result, the Company cannot determine the arrangement’s consideration, nor its allocation of consideration between delivered and undelivered items. Consequently, revenue recognition has been deferred for all delivered items in the arrangement. Once the Company determines an objective and reliable fair value of the undeveloped specified upgrade, the Company will be able to calculate total arrangement consideration and consequently, the Company will be able to recognize revenue on the delivered elements of the arrangement. If the arrangement is materially modified in the future such that contract consideration becomes fixed, the arrangement in its entirety would be subject to the provisions of the amended FASB ASC 605-25 and the Company would be required to develop, absent an established selling price for the undeveloped specified upgrade, a best estimated selling price for the undeveloped specified upgrade, allocate the arrangement’s consideration on a relative selling price allocation basis, and recognize revenue on the delivered elements based on that allocation.

Lease Arrangements

The Company uses the Leases Topic of the FASB ASC to evaluate whether an arrangement is a lease and the classification of the lease. Arrangements not within the scope of the accounting standard are accounted for either as a sales or services arrangement, as applicable.

For lease arrangements, the Company determines the classification of the lease in accordance with the Leases Topic of the FASB ASC. A lease arrangement that transfers substantially all of the benefits and risks incident to ownership of the equipment is classified as a sales-type lease based on the criteria established in the accounting standard; otherwise the lease is classified as an operating lease. Prior to commencement of the lease

term for the equipment, the Company may modify certain payment terms or make concessions. If these circumstances occur, the Company reassesses the classification of the lease based on the modified terms and conditions.

For sales-type leases, the revenue allocated to the System Deliverable is recognized when the lease term commences, which the Company deems to be when all of the following conditions have been met: (i) the projector, sound system and screen system have been installed and are in full working condition, (ii) the 3D glasses cleaning machine, if applicable, has been delivered, (iii) projectionist training has been completed, and (iv) the earlier of (a) receipt of the written customer acceptance certifying the completion of installation and run-in testing of the equipment and the completion of projectionist training or (b) public opening of the theater, provided collectibility is reasonably assured.

The initial revenue recognized for sales-type leases consists of the initial payments received and the present value of future initial payments and fixed minimum ongoing payments computed at the interest rate implicit in the lease. Contingent payments in excess of the fixed minimum payments are recognized when reported by theater operators, provided collectibility is reasonably assured.

For operating leases, initial payments and fixed minimum ongoing payments are recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over the lease term. For operating leases, the lease term is considered to commence when all of the following conditions have been met: (i) the projector, sound system and screen system have been installed and are in full working condition, (ii) the 3D glasses cleaning machine, if applicable, has been delivered, (iii) projectionist training has been completed, and (iv) the earlier of (a) receipt of the written customer acceptance certifying the completion of installation and run-in testing of the equipment and the completion of projectionist training or (b) public opening of the theater. Contingent payments in excess of fixed minimum ongoing payments are recognized as revenue when reported by theater operators, provided collectibility is reasonably assured.

Revenue from joint revenue sharing arrangements with upfront payments that qualify for classification as sales-type leases is recognized in accordance with the sales-type lease criteria discussed above. Contingent revenues from joint revenue sharing arrangements is recognized as box office results and concessions revenues are reported by the theater operator, provided collectibility is reasonably assured.

Equipment and components allocated to be used in future joint revenue sharing arrangements, as well as direct labor costs and an allocation of direct production costs, are included in assets under construction until such equipment is installed and in working condition, at which time the equipment is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the lesser of the term of the joint revenue sharing arrangement and the equipment’s anticipated useful life.

Finance Income

Finance income is recognized over the term of the lease or over the period of time specified in the sales arrangement, provided collectibility is reasonably assured. Finance income recognition ceases when the Company determines that the associated receivable is not collectible.

Finance income is suspended when the Company identifies a theater that is delinquent, non-responsive or not negotiating in good faith with the Company. Once the collectability issues are resolved the Company will resume recognition of finance income.

Terminations, Consensual Buyouts and Concessions

The Company enters into theater system arrangements with customers that provide for customer payment obligations prior to the scheduled installation of the theater system. During the period of time between signing

and the installation of the theater system, which may extend several years, certain customers may be unable to, or elect not to, proceed with the theater system installation for a number of reasons including business considerations, or the inability to obtain certain consents, approvals or financing. Once the determination is made that the customer will not proceed with installation, the arrangement may be terminated under the default provisions of the arrangement or by mutual agreement between the Company and the customer (a “consensual buyout”). Terminations by default are situations when a customer does not meet the payment obligations under an arrangement and the Company retains the amounts paid by the customer. Under a consensual buyout, the Company and the customer agree, in writing, to a settlement and to release each other of any further obligations under the arrangement or an arbitrated settlement is reached. Any initial payments retained or additional payments received by the Company are recognized as revenue when the settlement arrangements are executed and the cash is received, respectively. These termination and consensual buyout amounts are recognized in Other revenues.

In addition, the Company could agree with customers to convert their obligations for other theater system configurations that have not yet been installed to arrangements to acquire or lease the IMAX digital theater system. The Company considers these situations to be a termination of the previous arrangement and origination of a new arrangement for the IMAX digital theater system. For all arrangements entered into or modified prior to the date of adoption of the amended FASB ASC 605-25, the Company continues to defer an amount of any initial fees received from the customer such that the aggregate of the fees deferred and the net present value of the future fixed initial and ongoing payments to be received from the customer equals the selling price of the IMAX digital theater system to be leased or acquired by the customer. Any residual portion of the initial fees received from the customer for the terminated theater system is recorded in Other revenues at the time when the obligation for the original theater system is terminated and the new theater system arrangement is signed. Under the amended FASB ASC 605-25, as described in note 2(n) to the accompanying notes to the audited consolidated financial statements, for all arrangements entered into or materially modified after the date of adoption, the total arrangement consideration to be received is allocated on a relative selling price basis to the digital upgrade and the termination of the previous theater system. The arrangement consideration allocated to the termination of the existing arrangement is recorded in Other revenues at the time when the obligation for the original theater system is terminated and the new theater system arrangement is signed.

The Company may offer certain incentives to customers to complete theater system transactions including payment concessions or free services and products such as film licenses or 3D glasses. Reductions in, and deferral of, payments are taken into account in determining the sales price either by a direct reduction in the sales price or a reduction of payments to be discounted in accordance with the Leases or Interests Topic of the FASB ASC. Free products and services are accounted for as separate units of accounting. Other consideration given by the Company to customers are accounted for in accordance with the Revenue Recognition Topic of the FASB ASC.

Maintenance and Extended Warranty Services

Maintenance and extended warranty services may be provided under a multiple element arrangement or as a separately priced contract. Revenues related to these services are deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over the contract period and are recognized in Services revenues. Maintenance and extended warranty services includes maintenance of the customer’s equipment and replacement parts. Under certain maintenance arrangements, maintenance services may include additional training services to the customer’s technicians. All costs associated with this maintenance and extended warranty program are expensed as incurred. A loss on maintenance and extended warranty services is recognized if the expected cost of providing the services under the contracts exceeds the related deferred revenue.

Film Production and IMAX DMR Services

In certain film arrangements, the Company produces a film financed by third parties, whereby the third party retains the copyright and the Company obtains exclusive distribution rights. Under these arrangements, the

Company is entitled to receive a fixed fee or to retain as a fee the excess of funding over cost of production (the “production fee”). The third parties receive a portion of the revenues received by the Company from distributing the film, which is charged to costs and expenses applicable to revenues-services. The production fees are deferred, and recognized as a reduction in the cost of the film, based on the ratio of the Company’s distribution revenues recognized in the current period to the ultimate distribution revenues expected from the film.

Revenue from film production services where the Company does not hold the associated distribution rights are recognized in Service revenues when performance of the contractual service is complete, provided there is persuasive evidence of an agreement, the fee is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured.

Revenues from digitally re-mastering (IMAX DMR) films where third parties own or hold the copyrights and the rights to distribute the film are derived in the form of processing fees and recoupments calculated as a percentage of box-office receipts generated from the re-mastered films. Processing fees are recognized as Service revenues when the performance of the related re-mastering service is completed, provided there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the fee is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured. Recoupments, calculated as a percentage of box-office receipts, are recognized as Services revenues when box-office receipts are reported by the third party that owns or holds the related film rights, provided collectibility is reasonably assured.

Losses on film production and IMAX DMR services are recognized as costs and expenses applicable to revenues-services in the period when it is determined that the Company’s estimate of total revenues to be realized by the Company will not exceed estimated total production costs to be expended on the film production and the cost of IMAX DMR services.

Film Distribution

Revenue from the licensing of films is recognized in Services revenues when persuasive evidence of a licensing arrangement exists, the film has been completed and delivered, the license period has begun, the fee is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured. When license fees are based on a percentage of box-office receipts, revenue is recognized when box-office receipts are reported by exhibitors, provided collectibility is reasonably assured.

Film Post-Production Services

Revenues from post-production film services are recognized in Services revenue when performance of the contracted services is complete provided there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the fee is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured.

Other

The Company recognizes revenue in Services revenue from its owned and operated theaters resulting from box-office ticket and concession sales as tickets are sold, films are shown and upon the sale of various concessions. The sales are cash or credit card transactions with theatergoers based on fixed prices per seat or per concession item.

In addition, the Company enters into commercial arrangements with third party theater owners resulting in the sharing of profits and losses which are recognized in Service revenues when reported by such theaters. The Company also provides management services to certain theaters and recognizes revenue over the term of such services.

Revenues on camera rentals are recognized in Rental revenue over the rental period.

Revenue from the sale of 3D glasses is recognized in Equipment and product sales revenue when the 3D glasses have been delivered to the customer.

Other service revenues are recognized in Service revenues when the performance of contracted services is complete.

Allowances for Accounts Receivable and Financing Receivables

Allowances for doubtful accounts receivable are based on the Company’s assessment of the collectibility of specific customer balances, which is based upon a review of the customer’s credit worthiness, past collection history and the underlying asset value of the equipment, where applicable. Interest on overdue accounts receivable is recognized as income as the amounts are collected.

The Company monitors the performance of the theaters to which it has leased or sold theater systems which are subject to ongoing payments. When facts and circumstances indicate that there is a potential impairment in the accounts receivable, net investment in lease or a financing receivable, the Company will evaluate the potential outcome of either renegotiations involving changes in the terms of the receivable or defaults on the existing lease or financed sale agreements. The Company will record a provision if it is considered probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due under the contractual terms of the arrangement or a renegotiated lease amount will cause a reclassification of the sales-type lease to an operating lease.

When the net investment in lease or the financing receivable is impaired, the Company will recognize a provision for the difference between the carrying value in the investment and the present value of expected future cash flows discounted using the effective interest rate for the net investment in the lease or the financing receivable. If the Company expects to recover the theater system, the provision is equal to the excess of the carrying value of the investment over the fair value of the equipment.

When the minimum lease payments are renegotiated and the lease continues to be classified as a sales-type lease, the reduction in payments is applied to reduce unearned finance income.

These provisions are adjusted when there is a significant change in the amount or timing of the expected future cash flows or when actual cash flows differ from cash flow previously expected.

Once a net investment in lease or financing receivable is considered impaired, the Company does not recognize interest income until the collectibility issues are resolved. When finance income is not recognized, any payments received are applied against outstanding gross minimum lease amounts receivable or gross receivables from financed sales.

Inventories

Inventories are carried at the lower of cost, determined on an average cost basis, and net realizable value except for raw materials, which are carried out at the lower of cost and replacement cost. Finished goods and work-in-process include the cost of raw materials, direct labor, theater design costs, and an applicable share of manufacturing overhead costs.

The costs related to theater systems under sales and sales-type lease arrangements are relieved from inventory to costs and expenses applicable to revenues-equipment and product sales when revenue recognition criteria are met. The costs related to theater systems under operating lease arrangements and joint revenue sharing arrangements are transferred from inventory to assets under construction in property, plant and equipment when allocated to a signed joint revenue sharing arrangement or when the arrangement is first classified as an operating lease.

Finished goods inventories can contain theater systems for which title has passed to the Company’s customer, under the contract, but the revenue recognition criteria as discussed above have not been met.

Asset Impairments

The Company performs a qualitative, and when necessary quantitative, impairment test on its goodwill on an annual basis, coincident with the year-end, as well as in quarters where events or changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.

Goodwill impairment is assessed at the reporting unit level by comparing the unit’s carrying value, including goodwill, to the fair value of the unit. Significant estimates and judgment are involved in the impairment test. The carrying values of each unit are subject to allocations of certain assets and liabilities that the Company has applied in a systematic and rational manner. The fair value of the Company’s units is assessed using a discounted cash flow model. The model is constructed using the Company’s budget and long-range plan as a base.

Long-lived asset impairment testing is performed at the lowest level of an asset group at which identifiable cash flows are largely independent. In performing its review for recoverability, the Company estimates the future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset or asset group and its eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset or asset group, an impairment loss is recognized in the consolidated statement of operations. Measurement of the impairment loss is based on the excess of the carrying amount of the asset or asset group over the fair value calculated using discounted expected future cash flows.

The Company’s estimates of future cash flows involve anticipating future revenue streams, which contain many assumptions that are subject to variability, as well as estimates for future cash outlays, the amounts of which, and the timing of which are both uncertain. Actual results that differ from the Company’s budget and long-range plan could result in a significantly different result to an impairment test, which could impact earnings.

Foreign Currency Translation

Monetary assets and liabilities of the Company’s operations which are denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are translated into the functional currency at the exchange rates prevailing at the end of the period. Non-monetary items are translated at historical exchange rates. Revenue and expense transactions are translated at exchange rates prevalent at the transaction date. Such exchange gains and losses are included in the determination of earnings in the period in which they arise. The Company has determined that the functional currency of all its wholly-owned subsidiaries is the United States dollar.

Foreign currency derivatives are recognized and measured in the balance sheet at fair value. Changes in the fair value (gains or losses) are recognized in the consolidated statement of operations except for derivatives designated and qualifying as foreign currency hedging instruments. For foreign currency hedging instruments, the effective portion of the gain or loss in a hedge of a forecasted transaction is reported in other comprehensive income (“OCI”) and reclassified to the consolidated statement of operations when the forecasted transaction occurs. Any ineffective portion is recognized immediately in the consolidated statement of operations.

Pension Plan and Postretirement Benefit Obligations Assumptions

The Company’s pension plan and postretirement benefit obligations and related costs are calculated using actuarial concepts, within the framework of the Compensation—Retirement Benefits Topic of the FASB ASC. A critical assumption to this accounting is the discount rate. The Company evaluates this critical assumption annually or when otherwise required to by accounting standards. Other assumptions include factors such as expected retirement date, mortality rate, rate of compensation increase, and estimates of inflation.

The discount rate enables the Company to state expected future cash payments for benefits as a present value on the measurement date. The guideline for setting this rate is a high-quality long-term corporate bond rate. A lower discount rate increases the present value of benefit obligations and increases pension expense. The Company’s discount rate was determined by considering the average of pension yield curves constructed from a large population of high-quality corporate bonds. The resulting discount rate reflects the matching of plan liability cash flows to the yield curves.

The discount rate used is a key assumption in the determination of the pension benefit obligation and expense. At December 31, 2011, a 1.0% change in the discount rate used could result in a $2.3 million — $2.9 million increase or decrease in the pension benefit obligation with a corresponding benefit or charge recognized in other comprehensive income in the year. A one year delay in Mr. Gelfond’s retirement date would increase the discount rate by 0.4% and would result in a $0.6 million reduction in the pension benefit obligation as at December 31, 2011.

Deferred Tax Asset Valuation

As at December 31, 2011, the Company had net deferred income tax assets of $50.0 million. The Company’s management assesses realization of its deferred tax assets based on all available evidence in order to conclude whether it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized. Available evidence considered by the Company includes, but is not limited to, the Company’s historic operating results, projected future operating results, reversing temporary differences, contracted sales backlog at December 31, 2011, changing business circumstances, and the ability to realize certain deferred tax assets through loss and tax credit carry-back and carry-forward strategies. As at December 31, 2010, the Company had determined that based on the Company’s improved operating results in 2009 and 2010 and the Company’s assessment of projected future results of operations, realization of this deferred income tax benefit was more likely than not. As a result, the judgment about the need for this valuation allowance was changed and a reduction in the valuation allowance of $54.8 million was recorded in 2010 as a benefit within the recovery for income taxes from continuing operations. A further reduction in the valuation allowance of $1.9 million was made in 2011, of which $1.3 million was included in the provision for income taxes and $0.6 million was included directly to shareholder’s equity.

When there is a change in circumstances that causes a change in judgment about the realizability of the deferred tax assets, the Company would adjust the applicable valuation allowance in the period when such change occurs.

Tax Exposures

The Company is subject to ongoing tax exposures, examinations and assessments in various jurisdictions. Accordingly, the Company may incur additional tax expense based upon the outcomes of such matters. In addition, when applicable, the Company adjusts tax expense to reflect the Company’s ongoing assessments of such matters which require judgment and can materially increase or decrease its effective rate as well as impact operating results. The Company provides for such exposures in accordance with Income Taxes Topic of the FASB ASC.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company utilizes a lattice-binomial option-pricing model (the “Binomial Model”) to determine the fair value of stock-based payment awards. The fair value determined by the Binomial Model is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, the Company’s expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, and actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors. The Binomial Model also considers the expected exercise multiple which is the multiple of exercise price to grant price at which exercises are expected to occur on average. Option-pricing models were developed for use in estimating the value of traded options that have no vesting or hedging restrictions and are fully transferable. Because the Company’s employee

stock options and stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) have certain characteristics that are significantly different from traded options, and because changes in the subjective assumptions can materially affect the estimated value, in management’s opinion, the Binomial Model best provides an accurate measure of the fair value of the Company’s employee stock options and SARs. Although the fair value of employee stock options and SARs are determined in accordance with the Equity topic of the FASB ASC using an option-pricing model, that value may not be indicative of the fair value observed in a willing buyer/willing seller market transaction.

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

See note 3 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of the Company’s 2011 Form 10-K for information regarding the Company’s recent changes in accounting policies and the impact of recently issued accounting pronouncements impacting the Company.

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

On December 11, 2009, the Company closed its owned and operated Tempe IMAX theater. The Company recognized lease termination and guarantee obligations of $0.5 million to the landlord, which were offset by derecognition of other liabilities of $0.9 million, for a net gain of $0.4 million. In a related transaction, the Company leased the projection system and inventory of the Tempe IMAX theater to a third party theater exhibitor. Revenue from this operating lease transaction will be recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. In the year ended December 31, 2009, revenues for the Tempe IMAX theater were $0.8 million and the Company recognized a loss of $0.5 million in 2009 from the operation of the theater. The above transactions are reflected as discontinued operations as there are no significant continuing cash flows from either a migration or a continuation of activities.

On September 30, 2009, the Company closed its owned and operated Vancouver IMAX theater. The amount of loss to the Company pertaining to lease and guarantee obligations owing to the landlord was estimated at $0.3 million, which the Company recognized at September 30, 2009. In 2009, revenues for the Vancouver IMAX theater were $1.1 million and the Company recognized a loss of $0.1 million in 2009 from the operation of the theater. The above transactions are reflected as discontinued operations as there are no continuing cash flows from either a migration or a continuation of activities.

As a result of the closure of the Tempe and Vancouver IMAX theaters in 2009, the Company currently operates 4 theaters.

ASSET IMPAIRMENTS AND OTHER SIGNIFICANT CHARGES

The following table identifies the Company’s charges relating to the impairment of assets:


	Years Ended December 31,
*(in thousands of U.S. dollars)*	2011		2010		2009
Asset impairments
Property, plant and equipment⁽¹⁾	$	28	$	45	$	180
Other significant charges:
Accounts receivable		333		499		127
Financing receivables		1,237		944		1,377
Property, plant and equipment		356		—		—
Other intangible assets		—		64		—
Inventories		—		999		897

Total asset impairments and other significant charges	$	1,954	$	2,551	$	2,581

(1)	The Company reclassified the owned and operated Vancouver and Tempe IMAX theaters’ operations from continuing operations to discontinued operations as it does not anticipate having significant future cash flows from these theaters or any involvement in the day to day operations of these theaters.

Asset Impairments

The Company recorded an asset impairment charge of less than $0.1 million against property, plant and equipment after the Company assessed the carrying value of certain asset groups in light of their future expected cash flows. The Company recognized that the carrying values for the assets exceeded the expected undiscounted future cash flows. During 2010 and 2009, the Company recorded total asset impairment charges of less than $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively.

Other Significant Charges

The Company recorded a net provision of $0.3 million in 2011 (2010 – $0.5 million, 2009 – $0.1 million) in accounts receivable.

In 2011, the Company also recorded a net provision of $1.2 million in financing receivables (2010 – $0.9 million, 2009 – $1.4 million) as the collectibility associated with certain financing receivables was uncertain.

The Company recorded a $1.0 million and $0.9 million provision in 2010 and 2009, respectively, in costs and expenses applicable to revenues due to a reduction in the net realizable value of its inventories. In 2010, the charge primarily resulted from a reduction in the net realizable value of its GT and SR film-based projector inventories and associated parts due to a further market shift away from film-based projector systems. In 2009, the charge primarily resulted from a reduction in the net realizable value resulting from the Company’s development of a proprietary digital projection system in July 2008, and its supplanting of the IMAX MPX projection system.

In 2011, the Company recorded a $0.4 million charge reflecting assets that no longer meet capitalization requirements as the assets were no longer in use. No such charges were recorded in 2010 and 2009.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In this report, the Company presents adjusted net income and adjusted net income per diluted share as supplemental measures of performance of the Company, which are not recognized under U.S. GAAP. The Company presents adjusted net income and adjusted net income per diluted share because it believes that they are important supplemental measures of its comparable controllable operating performance and it wants to ensure that its investors fully understand the impact of its variable share-based compensation, provision for arbitration award and deferred taxes on its net income. The Company presents gross margin from its joint revenue sharing arrangements segment excluding initial launch costs because it believes that it is an important supplemental measure used by management to evaluate ongoing joint revenue sharing arrangement theater performance. Management uses these measures to review operating performance on a comparable basis from period to period. However, these non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled amounts reported by other companies. Adjusted net income and adjusted net income per diluted share should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, net income and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

As identified in note 19 to the audited consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of the Company’s 2011 Form 10-K, the Company has seven reportable segments identified by category of product sold or service provided: IMAX systems; theater system maintenance; joint revenue sharing arrangements; film production and IMAX DMR; film distribution; film post-production; and other. The IMAX systems segment designs, manufactures, sells or leases IMAX theater projection system equipment. The theater system maintenance segment maintains IMAX theater projection system equipment in the IMAX theater network. The joint revenue sharing arrangements segment installs IMAX theater projection system equipment to an exhibitor in exchange for a certain percentage of box-office and concession revenue. The film production and IMAX DMR segment produces films and performs film re-mastering services. The film distribution segment distributes films for which the Company has distribution rights. The film post-production segment provides film post-production and film print services. The other segment includes certain IMAX theaters that the Company owns and operates, camera rentals and other miscellaneous items. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in note 2 to the audited consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of the Company’s 2011 Form 10-K.

The Company’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations have been organized and discussed with respect to the above stated segments. Management feels that a discussion and analysis based on its segments is significantly more relevant as the Company’s consolidated statements of operations captions combine results from several segments.

The following table sets forth the breakdown of revenue and gross margin by segment:


	Revenue						Gross Margin
*(In thousands of U.S. dollars)*	Years Ended December 31,						Years Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009		2011			2010		2009
IMAX Systems
Sales and sales-type leases⁽¹⁾	$	81,310	$	63,023	$	53,923	$	45,251		$	31,452	$	26,441
Ongoing rent, fees, and finance income⁽²⁾		11,890		12,981		10,581		11,678			12,531		9,075

		93,200		76,004		64,504		56,929			43,983		35,516

Theater System Maintenance		24,840		21,444		18,246		9,437			10,084		8,361

Joint Revenue Sharing Arrangements		30,764		41,757		21,598		17,605			31,703		13,261

Film
Production and IMAX DMR		50,592		63,462		35,648		23,574			41,159		19,979
Distribution		16,074		17,937		12,365		3,025			5,205		2,147
Post-production		8,235		7,702		3,604		2,985			2,891		939

		74,901		89,101		51,617		29,584			49,255		23,065

Other⁽³⁾		12,851		20,308		15,246		(337	)		2,627		1,349

	$	236,556	$	248,614	$	171,211	$	113,218		$	137,652	$	81,552

(1)	Includes initial payments and the present value of fixed minimum payments from equipment, sales and sales-type lease transactions.

(2)	Includes rental income from operating leases, contingent rents from operating and sales-type leases, contingent fees from sales arrangements and finance income.

(3)	Excludes the impact of discontinued operations.

Year Ended December 31, 2011 versus Year Ended December 31, 2010

The Company reported net income of $15.5 million or $0.24 per basic share and $0.23 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2011 as compared to net income of $100.8 million or $1.59 per basic share and $1.51 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2010. The year ended December 31, 2010 included the record-breaking performance of the film Avatar: An IMAX 3D Experience. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2011 includes a deferred tax provision of $8.1 million or $0.12 per diluted share (2010 – $54.8 million or $0.82 per diluted share), a $1.6 million pre-tax charge or $0.02 per diluted share (2010 – $21.9 million or $0.33 per diluted share) for variable share-based compensation and a one-time $2.1 million pre-tax charge ($0.03 per diluted share) due to an arbitration award arising from an arbitration proceeding brought against the Company in connection with a discontinued subsidiary. Adjusted net income, which consists of net income excluding the impact of the deferred tax adjustment, variable share-based compensation and the charge for arbitration award was $27.3 million or $0.40 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2011 as compared to adjusted net income of $67.8 million or $1.02 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2010. A reconciliation of net income, the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure, to adjusted net income and adjusted net income per diluted share is presented in the table below:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2011				2010
	Net Income		Diluted EPS		Net Income			Diluted EPS
Reported net income	$	15,543	$	0.23	$	100,779		$	1.51
Adjustments:
Deferred tax provision		8,089		0.12		(54,793	)		(0.82	)
Variable stock compensation		1,607		0.02		21,857			0.33
Provision for arbitration award		2,055		0.03		—			—

Adjusted net income	$	27,294	$	0.40	$	67,843		$	1.02

Weighted average diluted shares outstanding				67,859					66,684

Revenues and Gross Margin

The Company’s revenues for the year ended December 31, 2011 decreased 4.8% to $236.6 million from $248.6 million in 2010 due to decreases in revenue from the Company’s film and joint revenue sharing arrangement segments partially offset by higher revenue from the IMAX systems segment. The year ended December 31, 2010, included the record breaking performance of Avatar: An IMAX 3D Experience. The gross margin across all segments in 2011 was $113.2 million, or 47.9% of total revenue, compared to $137.7 million, or 55.4% of total revenue in 2010.

IMAX Systems

IMAX systems revenue increased 22.6% to $93.2 million in 2011 as compared to $76.0 million in 2010, resulting primarily from the installation of 15 more new, full systems (excluding digital upgrades) under sales and sales-type leases as compared to the prior year.

Revenue from sales and sales-type leases increased 29.0% to $81.3 million in 2011 from $63.0 million in 2010. The Company recognized revenue on 50 full, new theater systems which qualified as either sales or sales-type leases in 2011, with a total value of $63.4 million, as compared to 35 in 2010 with a total value of $48.0 million. Additionally, the Company recognized revenue on 25 digital upgrades in 2011, with a total value of $11.6 million, as compared to 30 in 2010 with a total value of $12.7 million. Digital upgrades have lower sales prices and gross margin than a full theater installation. The Company has decided to offer digital upgrades at lower selling prices for strategic reasons since the Company believes that digital systems increase flexibility and profitability for the Company’s existing exhibition customers. There was one used system installed and

recognized in 2011 with a total value of $1.2 million, as compared to 2 used systems with a total value of $1.5 million in 2010.

Average revenue per full, new sales and sales-type lease system was $1.3 million in 2011, which is slightly lower than the $1.4 million experienced in 2010. Average revenue per digital upgrade was $0.5 million in 2011, as compared to $0.4 million in 2010.

The breakdown in mix of sales and sales-type lease and joint revenue sharing arrangement installations by theater system configuration for 2011 and 2010 is outlined in the table below:


	2011			2010
Sales and Sales-type lease systems—installed and recognized
2D SR Dome		—			1
IMAX 3D GT		1			1
IMAX 3D SR		—			2
IMAX digital		75	⁽¹⁾		63	⁽³⁾

		76			67
IMAX digital—installed and deferred		8	⁽²⁾		—

		84			67
Joint revenue sharing arrangements—installed and operating
IMAX digital		86			56	⁽³⁾

		170			123

(1)	Includes the digital upgrade of 25 systems from film-based to digital.

(2)	Includes the digital upgrade of 8 systems (all sales arrangements) from film-based to digital.

(3)	Includes the digital upgrade of 32 systems (30 sales arrangements and 2 systems under joint revenue sharing arrangements) from film-based to digital.

As noted in the table above, 8 theater systems under a digital upgrade sales arrangement were installed in 2011 but revenue recognition was deferred. The arrangement contained provisions providing the customer with standard digital upgrades, which were installed, and a number of as-of-yet undeveloped upgrades. The Company’s policy is such that once the fair value for the undeveloped upgrade is established, the Company allocates total contract consideration, including any upgrade revenues, between the delivered and undelivered elements on a relative fair value basis and recognizes the revenue allocated to the delivered elements with their associated costs. If the arrangement is materially modified in the future such that contract consideration becomes fixed, the arrangement in its entirety would be subject to the provisions of the amended ASC 605-25 and the Company would be required to develop, absent an established selling price or third party evidence of the selling price for the undeveloped specified upgrade, a best-estimate selling price for the undeveloped specified upgrade, allocate the arrangement’s consideration on a relative selling price allocation basis, and recognize revenue on the delivered elements based on that allocation. In 2010, the Company did not defer any recognitions.

Settlement revenue was $3.8 million in 2011 as compared to $0.4 million in 2010.

IMAX theater systems gross margin from full, new sales and sales-type leases, excluding the impact of settlements and asset impairment charges, increased to 66.0% in 2011 from 65.0% in 2010. The gross margin on digital upgrades was $2.6 million in 2011 in comparison with $2.6 million in 2010. The gross margin on used systems was $0.1 million in 2011 in comparison with $0.3 million in 2010.

Ongoing rent revenue and finance income decreased to $11.9 million in 2011 from $13.0 million in 2010. Gross margin from ongoing rent and finance income decreased to $11.7 million in 2011 from $12.5 million in 2010. The change in revenue and gross margin is primarily due to additional contingent fees resulting from a stronger film slate in 2010, including the record-breaking performance of Avatar: An IMAX 3D Experience and

the weaker performance of films in 2011, particularly animated films, offset slightly by a finance income on new systems under sales arrangements that began operations in 2011. Contingent fees included in this caption amounted to $2.7 million and $4.3 million in 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Theater System Maintenance

Theater system maintenance revenue increased 15.8% to $24.8 million in 2011 as compared to $21.4 million in 2010. Theater system maintenance gross margin decreased to $9.4 million in 2011 from $10.1 million in 2010 due to an increase in general service costs resulting from a larger theater network and preventative maintenance efforts expanded during the year. In 2010, the Company recorded a write-down of its film-based service parts inventories of $0.2 million due to the accelerated installation of the MPX system upgrades to digital based systems. Maintenance revenue continues to grow as the number of theaters in the IMAX network grows. Maintenance margins vary depending on the mix of theater system configurations in the theater network and the timing and nature of service visits in the period.

Joint Revenue Sharing Arrangements

Revenue from joint revenue sharing arrangements decreased 26.3% to $30.8 million in 2011 compared to $41.8 million in 2010. The Company ended the year with 257 theaters operating under joint revenue sharing arrangements as compared to 171 theaters at the end of 2010, an increase of 50.3%. The decrease in revenues from joint revenue sharing arrangements was primarily due to the lower per-screen gross box office realized from the films released to joint revenue sharing theaters during 2011, as compared to 2010, which included the record-breaking performance of Avatar: An IMAX 3D Experience, which contributed approximately $13.7 million in revenue from joint revenue sharing arrangements, offset slightly by the greater number of theaters operating. During 2011, the Company installed 86 full, new theaters under joint revenue sharing arrangements, as compared to 54 new theaters during 2010.

The gross margin from joint revenue sharing arrangements in 2011 decreased to $17.6 million compared to $31.7 million in 2010. The decrease was largely due to lower revenues and higher advertising, marketing and selling expenses experienced in the current year as compared to the prior year. Included in the 2011 gross margin were certain advertising, marketing, and selling expenses of $5.4 million, as compared to $4.2 million for such expenses in 2010. Adjusted gross margin from joint revenue sharing arrangements, which excludes these expenses from both periods, was $23.0 million in 2011, compared to $35.9 million in 2010. A reconciliation of gross margin from the joint revenue sharing arrangement segment, the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure, to adjusted gross margin is presented in the table below:


*(In thousands of U.S. Dollars)*	2011		2010
Gross margin from joint revenue sharing arrangements	$	17,605	$	31,703
Add:
Advertising, marketing and selling expenses		5,432		4,236

Adjusted gross margin from joint revenue sharing arrangements	$	23,037	$	35,939

Film

The Company’s revenues from its film segments decreased 15.9% to $74.9 million in 2011 from $89.1 million in 2010.

Film production and IMAX DMR revenues decreased 20.3% to $50.6 million in 2011 from $63.5 million in 2010. The decrease in film production and IMAX DMR revenues was due primarily to a stronger film slate in 2010 as compared to 2011. 2011 featured fewer event type films released during the period, compared with the record breaking performance of Avatar: An IMAX 3D Experience during 2010, which contributed $187.9 million in IMAX gross box office and $18.6 million in DMR Revenue. In 2010, there were 10 films that recorded gross domestic box office of over $200.0 million, 9 of which were released to the IMAX network. By contrast, 6 films in 2011 recorded gross domestic box office of over $200.0 million, of which 4 were released to the IMAX network. IMAX DMR films released to IMAX theaters during the period, however, continued to significantly outperform lower-cost formats on a per screen basis. Gross box office generated by IMAX DMR films decreased 23.6% to $417.2 million in 2011 versus $545.9 million in 2010. Gross box office per screen for 2011 averaged $1,069,300, in comparison to $1,821,900 in 2010. In 2011, gross-box office was generated primarily from the exhibition of 26 films listed below, as compared to 16 films exhibited in 2010:


2011 Films Exhibited		2010 Films Exhibited
TRON: Legacy: An IMAX 3D Experience		Avatar: An IMAX 3D Experience
The Green Hornet: An IMAX 3D Experience		Alice in Wonderland: An IMAX 3D Experience
Tangled: An IMAX 3D Experience		How To Train Your Dragon: An IMAX 3D Experience
Sanctum: An IMAX 3D Experience		Iron Man 2: The IMAX Experience
I Am Number Four: The IMAX Experience		Shrek Forever After: An IMAX 3D Experience
Mars Needs Moms: An IMAX 3D Experience		Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time: The IMAX Experience
Sucker Punch: The IMAX Experience		Toy Story 3: An IMAX 3D Experience
Fast Five: The IMAX Experience		The Twilight Saga: Eclipse: The IMAX Experience
Thor: An IMAX 3D Experience		Inception: The IMAX Experience
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides: An IMAX 3D Experience		Aftershock: The IMAX Experience Resident Evil: Afterlife: An IMAX 3D Experience
The Founding of a Party: The IMAX Experience		Legends of the Guardian: The Owls of Ga’Hoole: An IMAX 3D Experience
Kung Fu Panda 2: An IMAX 3D Experience
Super 8: The IMAX Experience		Paranormal Activity 2: The IMAX Experience
Cars 2: An IMAX 3D Experience		Megamind: An IMAX 3D Experience
Transformers: Dark of the Moon: An IMAX 3D Experience		Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I: The IMAX Experience
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II: An IMAX 3D Experience		Tron Legacy: An IMAX 3D Experience
Final Destination 5: An IMAX 3D Experience
Cowboys & Aliens: The IMAX Experience
Sector 7: An IMAX 3D Experience
Contagion: The IMAX Experience
Real Steel: The IMAX Experience
Puss in Boots: An IMAX 3D Experience
Happy Feet 2: An IMAX 3D Experience
Flying Swords of Dragon Gate: An IMAX 3D Experience
Mission: Impossible—Ghost Protocol: The IMAX Experience
The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn: An IMAX 3D Experience

Film distribution revenues decreased 10.4% to $16.1 million in 2011 from $17.9 million in 2010 primarily due to lower revenues from the distribution of library films in ancillary markets. Film post-production revenues increased 6.9% to $8.2 million in 2011 from $7.7 million in 2010 primarily due to an increase in third party business.

The Company’s gross margin from its film segments decreased 39.9% in 2011 to $29.6 million from $49.3 million in 2010. Film production and IMAX DMR gross margins decreased to $23.6 million from $41.2 million in 2010 largely due to a decrease in IMAX DMR revenue resulting from the films exhibited in the current year as compared to the prior year. The film distribution margin of $3.0 million in 2011 was lower than the $5.2 million experienced in 2010, primarily due to the decrease in film distribution revenues. Film post-production gross margin increased by $0.1 million due to an increase in third party business as compared to the prior year.

Other

Other revenue decreased to $12.9 million in 2011 compared to $20.3 million in 2010. Other revenue primarily includes revenue generated from the Company’s owned and operated theaters, camera rentals and after market sales of projection system parts and 3D glasses. The decrease in other revenue was largely due to a decrease in revenue from theater operations attributable to a decrease in average ticket prices and attendance as result of comparatively weaker film performance in 2011 as compared to 2010.

The gross margin on other revenue was $3.0 million lower in 2011 as compared to 2010. In particular, the theater operations margin decreased $2.8 million from 2010 primarily due to a decrease in theater operations revenue.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to $72.8 million in 2011, as compared to $78.4 million in 2010. The $5.6 million decrease experienced from the prior year comparative period was largely the result of the following:

•

a $14.3 million decrease in the Company’s stock-based compensation (including a decrease of $20.3 million for variable share-based awards).

This decrease was offset by:

•

a $5.0 million increase in staff-related costs and compensation costs, including an increase in salaries and benefits of $3.8 million as a result of higher average Canadian dollar denominated salary expense, increased staffing and normal merit increase, partially offset by lower pension plan costs;

•

a $2.8 million increase due to foreign exchange. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company recorded a foreign exchange loss of $1.3 million due to the impact of a decrease in exchange rates on foreign currency denominated working capital balances and unmatured and un-hedged foreign currency forward contracts, as compared to a gain of $1.5 million recorded in 2010. See note 15(b) of the audited consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of the Company’s 2011 Form 10-K for more information; and

•

a $0.9 million increase in legal, professional and other general corporate expenditures.

Provision for Arbitration Award

confidential settlement agreement, pursuant to which the parties fully and finally resolved and settled all claims between them relating to this dispute. See note 13(c) of the audited consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of the Company’s 2011 Form-10K for more information.

Research and Development

Research and development expenses increased to $7.8 million in 2011 compared to $6.2 million in 2010. The increased research and development expenses for 2011 compared to 2010 are primarily attributable to ongoing enhancements to the Company’s digital projection technology to ensure that the Company continues to provide the highest-quality, premier movie going experience available to consumers. In the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company announced the completion of a deal in which it secured certain exclusive license rights to a portfolio of intellectual property in the digital cinema field owned by the Eastman Kodak Company (“Kodak”), which the Company believes will support its efforts to deliver the highest quality digital content available to the largest IMAX film-based screens.

Receivable Provisions, Net of Recoveries

Receivable provisions, net of recoveries for accounts receivable and financing receivables, amounted to a net provision of $1.6 million in 2011, as compared to $1.4 million in 2010.

The Company’s accounts receivables and financing receivables are subject to credit risk. These receivables are concentrated with the leading theater exhibitors and studios in the film entertainment industry. To minimize the Company’s credit risk, the Company retains title to underlying theater systems that are leased, performs initial and ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and makes ongoing provisions for its estimate of potentially uncollectible amounts. Accordingly, the Company believes it has adequately protected itself against exposures relating to receivables and contractual commitments.

Asset Impairments and Other Significant Charges

The Company recorded an asset impairment charge of less than $0.1 million, which is consistent with the prior year, against property, plant and equipment after the Company assessed the carrying value of certain assets in its theater operations segment in light of their future expected cash flows. The Company recognized that the carrying values for the assets exceeded the expected undiscounted future cash flows.

In 2010, the charge relating to inventory primarily resulted from a reduction in the net realizable value of its GT and SR film-based projector inventories and associated parts due to a further market shift away from the film-based projector systems. No such charges were recognized in 2011.

Interest Income and Expense

Interest income decreased to less than $0.1 million in 2011, as compared to $0.4 million in 2010. The decrease was largely due to interest recorded during 2010 related to tax refunds.

Interest expense was consistent at $1.8 million in 2011 and 2010. Included in interest expense is the amortization of deferred finance costs in the amount of $0.4 million and $0.3 million in 2011 and 2010, respectively. The Company’s policy is to defer and amortize all the costs relating to a debt financing which are paid directly to the debt provider, over the life of the debt instrument.

Income Taxes

The Company’s effective tax rate differs from the statutory tax rate and varies from year to year primarily as a result of numerous permanent differences, investment and other tax credits, the provision for income taxes at different rates in foreign and other provincial jurisdictions, enacted statutory tax rate increases or reductions in the year, changes due to foreign exchange, changes in the Company’s valuation allowance based on the Company’s recoverability assessments of deferred tax assets, and favorable or unfavorable resolution of various tax examinations.

There was a $1.9 million decrease in the valuation allowance resulting from utilization of loss carryforwards and deductible temporary differences against current period income and the Company’s estimates of the recoverability of its deferred tax assets based on an analysis of both positive and negative evidence including projected future earnings. The Company recorded an income tax provision of $9.4 million for 2011, of which $0.1 million is related to a decrease in unrecognized tax benefits. For 2010, the Company recorded an income tax recovery of $51.8 million, of which $0.1 million was related to an increase in unrecognized tax benefits.

During the year ended December 31, 2011, after considering all available evidence, both positive (including recent profits, projected future profitability, backlog, carryforward periods for utilization of net operating loss carryovers and tax credits, discretionary deductions and other factors) and negative (including cumulative losses in past years and other factors), it was concluded that the valuation allowance against the Company’s deferred tax assets should be further reduced by approximately $1.9 million. The remaining $6.1 million balance in the valuation allowance as at December 31, 2011 is primarily attributable to certain U.S. federal and state net operating loss carryovers and federal tax credits that likely will expire without being utilized. As at December 31, 2010, the Company had determined that based on the improvement of the Company’s operating results in 2009 and 2010 and the Company’s assessment of projected future results of operations, realization of a deferred income tax benefit is now more likely than not. As a result, the judgment about the need for a full valuation allowance against deferred tax assets changed, and a reduction in the valuation allowance was recorded as a benefit within the recovery for income taxes from continuing operations. The recovery for income taxes in the year ended December 31, 2010 includes a net non-cash income tax benefit of $54.8 million in continuing operations related to a decrease in the valuation allowance for the Company’s deferred tax assets and other tax adjustments. The net income tax benefit during the year ended December 31, 2010 is primarily attributable to the estimated realization of deferred tax assets resulting from the utilization of deductible temporary differences and certain net operating loss carryforwards and tax credits against future years’ taxable income.

The Company anticipates utilizing the majority of its currently available tax attributes over the next three years.

Equity-Accounted Investments

The Company accounts for investments in new business ventures using the guidance of the FASB ASC 323 Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (“ASC 323”). At December 31, 2011, the equity method of accounting is being utilized for an investment with a carrying value of $4.1 million (December 31, 2010 – $1.6 million). For the year ended December 31, 2011, gross revenues, cost of revenue and net loss for the investment were $2.3 million, $9.8 million and $17.7 million, respectively (2010 – $nil, $0.2 million and $4.3 million, respectively). The Company recorded its proportionate share of the net loss which amounted to $1.8 million for 2011 compared to $0.5 million in 2010.

Pension Plan

The Company has an unfunded defined benefit pension plan, the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the “SERP”), covering Messrs. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler, the Company’s former Co-CEO and current Chairman of its Board of Directors. As at December 31, 2011, the Company had an unfunded and accrued projected benefit obligation of approximately $19.0 million (December 31, 2010 – $18.1 million) in respect of

the SERP. At the time the Company established the SERP, it also took out life insurance policies on Messrs. Gelfond and Wechsler with coverage amounts of $21.5 million in aggregate. During 2010, the Company obtained $7.8 million representing the cash surrender value of the policies. These amounts were used to pay down the term loan under the Credit Facility and fund part of the $14.7 million lump sum payment made to Mr. Wechsler on August 1, 2010 under the SERP which settled in full Mr. Wechsler’s entitlement under the SERP.

The net periodic benefit cost was $0.5 million and $0.4 million in 2011 and 2010, respectively. The components of net periodic benefit cost were as follows:


	Years ended December 31
	2011		2010
Service cost	$	—	$	448
Interest cost		279		351
Amortization of actuarial gain		214		—
Realized actuarial gain on settlement of pension liability		—		(385	)

Pension expense	$	493	$	414

The plan experienced an actuarial loss of $0.6 million during 2011, resulting primarily from a decrease in the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (“PBGC”) published annuity interest rates used to determine the lump sum payment under the plan.

Under the terms of the SERP, if Mr. Gelfond’s employment had terminated other than for cause prior to August 1, 2010, he would have been entitled to receive SERP benefits in the form of monthly annuity payments until the earlier of a change in control or August 1, 2010, at which time he would have become entitled to receive remaining benefits in the form of a lump sum payment. If Mr. Gelfond’s employment is, or would have been, terminated other than for cause on or after August 1, 2010, he is, or would have been, entitled to receive SERP benefits in the form of a lump sum payment. SERP benefit payments to Mr. Gelfond are subject to a deferral for six months after the termination of his employment, at which time Mr. Gelfond will be entitled to receive interest on the deferred amount credited at the applicable federal rate for short-term obligations. The term of Mr. Gelfond’s current employment agreement has been extended through December 31, 2013. Under the terms of the extension, Mr. Gelfond also agreed that any compensation earned during 2011, 2012 and 2013 would not be included in calculating this entitlement under the SERP.

Under the terms of the SERP, monthly annuity payments payable to Mr. Wechsler, whose employment as Co-CEO terminated effective April 1, 2009, were deferred for six months and were paid in the form of a lump sum plus interest on the deferred amount on October 1, 2009. These monthly annuity payments continued through to August 1, 2010. On August 1, 2010, the Company made a lump sum payment of $14.7 million to Mr. Wechsler in accordance with the terms of the plan, representing a settlement in full of Mr. Wechsler’s entitlement under the SERP.

In July 2000, the Company agreed to maintain health benefits for Messrs. Gelfond and Wechsler upon retirement. As at December 31, 2011, the Company had an unfunded benefit obligation recorded of $0.5 million (December 31, 2010 – $0.5 million).

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company utilizes the Binomial Model to determine the fair value of stock-based payment awards. The fair value determined by the Binomial Model is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, the Company’s expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, and actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors. The Binomial Model also considers the expected exercise multiple which is the

multiple of exercise price to grant price at which exercises are expected to occur on average. Option-pricing models were developed for use in estimating the value of traded options that have no vesting or hedging restrictions and are fully transferable. Because the Company’s employee stock options and SARs have certain characteristics that are significantly different from traded options, and because changes in the subjective assumptions can materially affect the estimated value, in management’s opinion, the Binomial Model best provides an accurate measure of the fair value of the Company’s employee stock options and SARs. Although the fair value of employee stock options and SARs are determined in accordance with the Equity topic of the FASB ASC using an option-pricing model, that value may not be indicative of the fair value observed in a willing buyer/willing seller market transaction.

Stock-based compensation expense recognized under FASB ASC 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation” (“ASC 718”) for 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $11.9 million, $27.7 million and $17.7 million, respectively.

Years Ended December 31, 2010 versus Years Ended December 31, 2009

The Company reported net income of $100.8 million or $1.59 per basic share and $1.51 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2010 as compared to net income of $5.0 million or $0.10 per basic share and $0.09 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2009. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2010 includes a $21.9 million pre-tax charge or $0.33 per diluted share (2009 – $15.4 million or $0.29 per diluted share) for variable share-based compensation largely due to the increase in the Company’s stock price during the year (from $13.31 per share at year-end 2009 to $28.07 per share at year-end 2010) and its impact on SARs and restricted common shares, which was offset by a non-cash tax recovery of $54.8 million or $0.82 per diluted share resulting from the release of a tax valuation allowance, relating to the expected reversal of future temporary differences (2009 – $nil). Adjusted net income, which consists of net income excluding the impact of variable share-based compensation and the non-cash tax benefit was $67.8 million or $1.02 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2010 as compared to adjusted net income of $20.5 million or $0.38 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2009. A reconciliation of net income, the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure, to adjusted net income and adjusted net income per diluted share is presented in the table below:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2010						2009
	Net Income			Diluted EPS			Net Income		Diluted EPS
Reported net income	$	100,779		$	1.51		$	5,021	$	0.09
Adjustments:
Variable stock compensation		21,857			0.33			15,436		0.29
Deferred tax recovery		(54,793	)		(0.82	)		—		—
Provision for arbitration award		—			—			—		—

Adjusted net income	$	67,843		$	1.02		$	20,457	$	0.38

Weighted average diluted shares outstanding					66,684					54,518

Revenues and Gross Margin

The Company’s revenues for the year ended December 31, 2010 increased by 45.2% to $248.6 million from $171.2 million in 2009 due to increases in revenue across all business segments. The gross margin across all segments in 2010 was $137.7 million, or 55.4% of total revenue, compared to $81.6 million, or 47.6% of total revenue in 2009. Improvements in margin occurred across all business lines.

IMAX Systems

IMAX systems revenue increased 17.8% to $76.0 million in 2010 as compared to $64.5 million in 2009, resulting primarily from a 55.8% increase in systems installed and recognized as compared to the prior year.

Revenue from sales and sales-type leases increased 16.9% to $63.0 million in 2010 from $53.9 million in 2009. The Company recognized revenue on 35 full, new theater systems which qualified as either sales or sales-type leases in 2010, with a total value of $48.0 million, as compared to 24 in 2009 with a total value of $37.0 million. Additionally, the Company recognized revenue on 2 used theater systems in 2010 with an aggregate value of $1.5 million, versus 3 used systems with a total value of $2.6 million that were recognized in 2009. The Company also recognized revenue on 30 digital upgrades in 2010, with a total value of $12.5 million, as compared to 16 in 2009 with a total value of $12.0 million. Included in 2009 are revenues associated with the installation of 4 MPX projection systems and their subsequent digital upgrades. The Company’s policy was to defer revenue recognition until such time as the fair value of the digital upgrade became known or the digital upgrade was delivered. Digital upgrades also have lower sales prices and gross margin than a full theater installation. The Company has decided to offer digital upgrades at lower selling prices for strategic reasons since the Company believes that digital systems increase flexibility and profitability for the Company’s existing exhibition customers.

Average revenue per sales and sales-type lease systems was $1.4 million in 2010 as compared to $1.5 million in 2009. Average revenue per digital upgrade was $0.4 million in 2010, as compared to $0.8 million for 2009. Average revenue per digital upgrade was higher during 2009 due to revenue associated with the installation of 4 MPX projection systems and their subsequent digital upgrades. Revenues associated with the installation of a projection system and its digital upgrade are typically higher than a single digital upgrade installation.

The breakdown in mix of sales and sales-type lease, operating lease and joint revenue sharing arrangement installations by theater system configuration in 2010 and 2009 is outlined in the table below:


	2010			2009
Sales and Sales-type lease systems—installed and recognized
2D SR Dome		1			1
IMAX 3D GT		1			3
IMAX 3D SR		2			4
IMAX digital		63	⁽¹⁾		35	⁽²⁾

		67			43
Operating lease—installed and operating
IMAX 3D MPX⁽²⁾		—			1
Joint revenue sharing arrangements—installed and operating
IMAX digital		56	⁽¹⁾		74	⁽²⁾

		123			118

(1)	Includes the digital upgrade of 32 systems (30 sales arrangements and 2 systems under joint revenue sharing arrangements) from film-based to digital.

(2)	Includes the digital upgrade of 25 systems (14 sales arrangements, 2 treated previously as operating lease arrangements and 9 systems under joint revenue sharing arrangements) from film-based to digital.

Until the end of the second quarter of 2009, the Company was not able to determine the fair value of a digital upgrade. Accordingly, the Company deferred all consideration received and receivable under such arrangements for the delivered MPX and the upgrade right, except for the amount allocated to maintenance and extended warranty services provided to the customers for the installed system. This revenue was deferred until the upgrade right expired, if applicable, or a digital upgrade was delivered. In the third quarter of 2009, the Company determined the fair value of digital upgrades and the upgrade rights. It is the Company’s policy that once a digital upgrade is provided or the fair value for the upgrade is established, the Company allocates total contract consideration, including any upgrade revenues, between the delivered and undelivered elements on a residual basis and recognizes the revenue allocated to the delivered elements with their associated costs. The

Company did not recognize revenue on any theater systems under a sales arrangement that was previously deferred during 2010. During 2009, 4 of the digital upgrades recognized related to a sales arrangement that had been previously deferred. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, there were no systems deferred under the Company’s digital upgrade policy.

Settlement revenue was $0.4 million in 2010 as compared to $2.0 million in 2009, which related primarily to consensual buyouts for uninstalled theater systems.

Sound systems revenue remained consistent at $0.5 million in 2010 as compared to 2009.

IMAX theater systems gross margin from full, new sales and sales-type leases, excluding the impact of settlements and asset impairment charges, increased to 65.0% in 2010 from 62.7% in 2009. The gross margin on digital upgrades, excluding the impact of settlements and asset impairment charges, was $2.6 million in 2010 in comparison with $5.1 million in 2009. The gross margin on used systems was $0.3 million in 2010 in comparison with $0.4 million in 2009.

Ongoing rent revenue and finance income increased to $13.0 million in 2010 from $10.6 million in 2009. Gross margin for ongoing rent and finance income increased to $12.5 million in 2010 from $9.1 million in 2009. The change in revenue and gross margin is a function of finance income on new systems under sales or lease agreements that began operations in 2010 and additional contingent fees resulting from strong film performance experienced during the year. Contingent fees included in this caption amounted to $4.3 million and $2.5 million in 2010 and 2009, respectively.

In 2010, the Company did not install and recognize revenue for any new theater systems that qualified as operating leases (excluding joint revenue sharing arrangements), as compared to one in 2009. In 2009, this theater system under an operating lease arrangement was upgraded to digital theater system under a sales arrangement. The Company recognizes revenue on operating leases ratably over the term of the leases.

Theater System Maintenance

Theater system maintenance revenue increased 17.5% to $21.4 million in 2010 as compared to $18.2 million in 2009. Theater system maintenance gross margin increased to $10.1 million in 2010 from $8.4 million in 2009. In 2010 and 2009, the Company recorded a write-down of its film-based service parts inventories of $0.2 million and $0.8 million, respectively, due to the accelerated installation of the MPX system upgrades to digital based systems. Absent this write-down, the margin would have been $10.3 million and $9.2 million in 2010 and 2009, respectively. Maintenance revenue continues to grow as the number of theaters in the IMAX network grows. Maintenance margins vary depending on the mix of theater system configurations in the theater network and the timing and nature of service visits in the period.

Joint Revenue Sharing Arrangements

Revenue from joint revenue sharing arrangements increased 93.3% to $41.8 million in 2010 compared to $21.6 million in 2009. The Company ended the year with 171 theaters operating under joint revenue sharing arrangements as compared to 117 theaters at the end of 2009, an increase of 46.2%. The increase in revenues from joint revenue sharing arrangements was due to the greater number of theaters operating in 2010 as compared to 2009, and stronger performance of the films exhibited in 2010 versus 2009, including Avatar: An IMAX 3D Experience, which is the highest grossing IMAX film of all time.

The gross margin from joint revenue sharing arrangements in 2010 increased to $31.7 million compared to $13.3 million in 2009. The increase was largely due to an increase in the number of joint revenue sharing theaters operating in 2010 as compared to 2009. Included in the 2010 gross margin were certain advertising, marketing and selling expenses of $4.2 million associated with the initial launch of 54 new joint revenue sharing theaters opened during the year, as compared to $3.4 million associated with the initial launch of 65 new

theaters in 2009. Adjusted gross margin from joint revenue sharing arrangements excluding these expenses would have been $35.9 million in 2010, compared to $16.7 million in 2009. A reconciliation of gross margin from the joint revenue sharing arrangement segment, the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure, to adjusted gross margin is presented in the table below:


*(In thousands of U.S. Dollars)*	2010		2009
Gross margin from joint revenue sharing arrangements	$	31,703		$	13,261
Add:
Advertising, marketing and selling expenses		4,236			3,405

Adjusted gross margin from joint revenue sharing arrangements	$	35,939		$	16,666

Film

The Company’s revenues from its film segments increased 72.6% to $89.1 million in 2010 from $51.6 million in 2009.

Film production and IMAX DMR revenues increased 78.0% to $63.5 million in 2010 from $35.6 million in 2009. The increase in film production and IMAX DMR revenues was due primarily to the overall growth of the IMAX theater network and stronger film performance for the films exhibited, including Avatar: An IMAX 3D Experience. Gross box office generated by IMAX DMR films increased 101.6% to $545.9 million in 2010 versus $270.8 million in 2009. In 2010, gross box office was generated by the exhibition of 16 films listed below, as compared to 14 films exhibited in 2009:


2010 Films Exhibited		2009 Films Exhibited
Avatar: An IMAX 3D Experience		The Day the Earth Stood Still: The IMAX Experience
Alice in Wonderland: An IMAX 3D Experience		The Dark Knight: The IMAX Experience
How To Train Your Dragon: An IMAX 3D Experience		Jonas Bros: The 3D Concert Experience
Iron Man 2: The IMAX Experience		Watchmen: The IMAX Experience
Shrek Forever After: An IMAX 3D Experience		Monsters vs. Aliens: An IMAX 3D Experience
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time: The IMAX Experience		Star Trek: The IMAX Experience
Toy Story 3: An IMAX 3D Experience		Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian: The IMAX Experience
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse: The IMAX Experience
Inception: The IMAX Experience		Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: The IMAX Experience
Aftershock: The IMAX Experience		Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince: An IMAX 3D Experience
Resident Evil: Afterlife: An IMAX 3D Experience		Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs: An IMAX 3D Experience
Legends of the Guardian: The Owls of Ga’Hoole: An IMAX 3D Experience		Where the Wild Things Are: The IMAX Experience
		Michael Jackson’s This Is It: The IMAX Experience
Paranormal Activity 2: The IMAX Experience		Disney’s A Christmas Carol: An IMAX 3D Experience
Megamind: An IMAX 3D Experience		Avatar: An IMAX 3D Experience
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I: The IMAX Experience
Tron Legacy: An IMAX 3D Experience

Avatar: An IMAX 3D Experience broke all performance records for an IMAX DMR film. Through December 31, 2010, Avatar has generated total IMAX DMR gross box office revenue of over $242.0 million, with $187.9 million generated in 2010.

Film distribution revenues increased 45.1% to $17.9 million in 2010 from $12.4 million in 2009 due to the introduction and continuing performance of Hubble 3D: An IMAX 3D Experience, a movie co-produced by the Company and WB, which was released in March of 2010, and the licensing of certain library titles in ancillary markets.

Film post-production revenues increased 113.7% to $7.7 million in 2010 from $3.6 million in 2009 primarily due to an increase in third party business.

The Company’s gross margin from its film segments increased 113.6% in 2010 to $49.3 million from $23.1 million in 2009. Film production and IMAX DMR gross margins increased to $41.2 million from $20.0 million in 2009 largely due to an increase in IMAX DMR revenue resulting from a larger commercial IMAX network and stronger film performance, including Avatar: An IMAX 3D Experience. The film distribution margin of $5.2 million in 2010 was higher than the $2.1 million experienced in 2009, primarily due to the increase in film distribution revenues. Film post-production gross margin increased by $2.0 million due to an increase in third party business as compared to the prior year.

Other

Other revenue increased to $20.3 million in 2010 compared to $15.2 million in 2009. Other revenue primarily includes revenue generated from the Company’s owned and operated theaters, camera rentals and after market sales of projection system parts and 3D glasses. The increase in other revenue in 2010 was largely due to an increase in revenue from theater operations attributable increases in average ticket prices and attendance at certain of the Company’s owned theaters primarily due to the stronger performance of the films exhibited in 2010 as compared to 2009.

The gross margin on other revenue was $1.3 million higher in 2010 as compared to 2009.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $78.4 million in 2010, as compared to $56.2 million in 2009. The $22.2 million increase experienced from the prior year comparative period was largely the result of the following:

•

an $8.5 million increase in the Company’s stock-based compensation expense (including a $6.4 million increase in charges for variable share-based awards) primarily due to an increase in the Company’s stock price during the period (an increase from $13.31 at year-end 2009 to $28.07 per share at year-end 2010, as compared to an increase from $4.46 per share at year-end 2008 to $13.31 per share at year end 2009) and its impact on variable awards such as SARs. The Company has no present intention to issue such variable awards in the future;

•

an $8.7 million increase in staff-related costs and compensation costs including (i) an increase in salaries and benefits of $6.3 million including a higher average Canadian dollar denominated salary expense ($1.9 million), increased staffing and normal merit increase partially offset by lower pension plan costs and (ii) a $2.4 million increase in travel and entertainment costs commensurate with business activity;

•

a $3.1 million increase in legal and professional fees and other expenses, including a multi-jurisdictional patent and contract lawsuit settled at year-end, and work performed relating to new business initiatives, such as 3net, a 3D television channel operated by a limited liability corporation owned by the Company, Discovery Communications and Sony Corporation; and

•

a $0.5 million increase in other general corporate expenditures, which resulted from an expansion of the Company’s overall business.

These increases were partially offset by a

•

a $1.4 million decrease in gains due to foreign exchange. During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company recorded a foreign exchange gain of $1.5 million due to the impact of a decrease in exchange rates on foreign currency denominated working capital balances and unmatured and un-hedged foreign currency forward contracts as compared to a gain of $2.9 million recorded in 2009.

Research and Development

Research and development expenses increased to $6.2 million in 2010 compared to $3.8 million in 2009. The increased research and development expenses for 2010 compared to 2009 are primarily attributable to ongoing enhancements to the Company’s digital projection technology and the commencement of a portable theater initiative.

Receivable Provisions, Net of Recoveries

Receivable provisions, net of recoveries for accounts receivable and financing receivables, amounted to a net provision of $1.4 million in 2010, as compared to $1.1 million in 2009.

The Company’s accounts receivables and financing receivables are subject to credit risk. These receivables are concentrated with the leading theater exhibitors and studios in the film entertainment industry. To minimize the Company’s credit risk, the Company retains title to underlying theater systems leased, performs initial and ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and makes ongoing provisions for its estimate of potentially uncollectible amounts. Accordingly, the Company believes it has adequately protected itself against exposures relating to receivables and contractual commitments.

Asset Impairments and Other Significant Charges

The Company recorded an asset impairment charge of less than $0.1 million against fixed assets after the Company assessed the carrying value of certain assets in its other segment light of their future expected cash flows. In 2009, the Company recorded total asset impairment charges of $0.2 million.

The Company recorded a net provision of $0.5 million in 2010 (2009 – $0.1 million) in accounts receivable.

In 2010, the Company also recorded a net provision of $0.9 million in financing receivables (2009 – $1.4 million) as the collectibility associated with certain leases was uncertain.

In 2010, the Company recorded a charge of $1.0 million (2009 – $0.9 million) in costs and expenses applicable to revenues, primarily due to a reduction in the net realizable value of its GT and SR film-based projector inventories and associated parts due to a further market shift away from film-based projector systems. In 2009, the charge primarily resulted from a reduction in the net realizable value resulting from the Company’s introduction of a proprietary digital projection system in July 2008, and its supplanting of the IMAX MPX projection system.

Interest Income and Expenses

Interest income increased to $0.4 million in 2010, as compared to less than $0.1 million in 2009. The increase was largely due to interest recorded during 2010 related to tax refunds.

Interest expense decreased to $1.9 million in 2010 as compared to $13.8 million in 2009. In 2009, the Company repurchased all $160.0 million aggregate principal amount of the its outstanding 9.625% Senior Notes which resulted in a decrease in the Company’s interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2010. Included in interest expense is the amortization of deferred finance costs in the amount of $0.3 million and $1.0 million in 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Company’s policy is to defer and amortize all the costs relating to a debt financing which are paid directly to the debt provider, over the life of the debt instrument.

Income Taxes

Based on the improvement of the Company’s operating results in 2009 and 2010 and the Company’s assessment of projected future results of operations, it was determined that realization of a deferred income tax benefit is now more likely than not. As a result, the judgment about the need for a full valuation allowance against deferred tax assets has changed, and a reduction in the valuation allowance has been recorded as a benefit within the recovery for income taxes from continuing operations. The recovery for income taxes in the year ended December 31, 2010 includes a net non-cash income tax benefit of $54.8 million in continuing operations related to a decrease in the valuation allowance for the Company’s deferred tax assets and other tax adjustments. The net income tax benefit during the year ended December 31, 2010 is primarily attributable to the estimated realization of deferred tax assets resulting from the utilization of deductible temporary differences and certain net operating loss carryforwards and tax credits against future years’ taxable income. During the year ended December 31, 2010, after considering all available evidence, both positive (including recent profits, projected future profitability, backlog, carryforward periods for utilization of net operating loss carryovers and tax credits, discretionary deductions and other factors) and negative (including cumulative losses in past years and other factors), it was concluded that the valuation allowance against the Company’s deferred tax assets should be further reduced by approximately $54.8 million. The remaining $7.9 million balance in the valuation allowance as at December 31, 2010 is primarily attributable to certain U.S. federal and state net operating loss carryovers and federal tax credits that likely will expire without being utilized.

The Company anticipates utilizing the majority of its currently available tax attributes over the next three years.

Discontinued Operations

On December 11, 2009, the Company closed its owned and operated Tempe IMAX theater. The Company recognized lease termination and guarantee obligations of $0.5 million to the landlord, which were offset by derecognition of other liabilities of $0.9 million, for a net gain of $0.4 million. In a related transaction, the Company leased the projection system and inventory of the Tempe IMAX theater to a third party theater exhibitor. Revenue from this operating lease transaction will be recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. For the year ended December 31, 2009, revenues for the Tempe IMAX theater were $0.8 million and the Company recognized a loss of $0.5 million in 2009 from the operation of the theater. This transaction is reflected as discontinued operations as there are no significant continuing cash flows from either a migration or a continuation of activities.

On September 30, 2009, the Company closed its owned and operated Vancouver IMAX theater. The amount of loss to the Company pertaining to lease and guarantee obligations owing to the landlord was estimated at $0.3 million which the Company recognized at December 31, 2009. For the year ended December 31, 2009, revenues for the Vancouver IMAX theater were $1.1 million and the Company recognized a loss of $0.1 million

in 2009 from the operation of the theater. This transaction is reflected as discontinued operations as there are no continuing cash flows from either a migration or a continuation of activities.

Pension Plan

The Company has an unfunded defined benefit pension plan, the SERP, covering Messrs. Gelfond and Wechsler. As at December 31, 2010, the Company had an unfunded and accrued projected benefit obligation of approximately $18.1 million (December 31, 2009 – $29.9 million) in respect of the SERP. At the time the Company established the SERP, it also took out life insurance policies on Messrs. Gelfond and Wechsler with coverage amounts of $21.5 million in aggregate. During the quarter ended June 30, 2010, the Company obtained $3.2 million representing the cash surrender value of Mr. Gelfond’s policy. The proceeds were used to pay down the term loan under the Company’s senior secured credit facility. During the quarter ended September 30, 2010, the Company obtained $4.6 million representing the cash surrender value of Mr. Wechsler’s policy. The amount was used as an offset against the $14.7 million lump sum payment made to Mr. Wechsler on August 1, 2010 under the SERP. As at December 31, 2009, the cash surrender value of these policies was $7.3 million.

The net periodic benefit cost was $0.4 million and $1.4 million in 2010 and 2009, respectively. The components of net periodic benefit cost were as follows:


	Years ended December 31
	2010			2009
Service cost	$	448		$	643
Interest cost		351			1,341
Amortization of prior service credit		—			145
Amortization of actuarial gain		—			(681	)
Realized actuarial gain on settlement of pension liability		(385	)		—

Pension expense	$	414		$	1,448

The pension obligation decreased from $29.9 million at December 31, 2009, to $18.1 million at December 31, 2010, resulting primarily from Mr. Wechsler receiving a lump sum payment of $14.7 million on August 1, 2010.

The plan experienced an actuarial loss of $2.6 million during 2010, resulting primarily from a decrease in the PBGC published annuity interest rates used to determine the lump sum payment under the plan.

Under the terms of the SERP, if Mr. Gelfond’s employment had terminated other than for cause prior to August 1, 2010, he would have been entitled to receive SERP benefits in the form of monthly annuity payments until the earlier of a change in control or August 1, 2010, at which time he would have become entitled to receive remaining benefits in the form of a lump sum payment. If Mr. Gelfond’s employment is terminated other than for cause after August 1, 2010, he is entitled to receive SERP benefits in the form of a lump sum payment. SERP benefit payments to Mr. Gelfond are subject to a deferral for six months after the termination of his employment, at which time Mr. Gelfond will be entitled to receive interest on the deferral amount credited at the applicable federal rate for short-term obligations. The terms of Mr. Gelfond’s current employment agreed have been extended to the end of 2013.

Under the terms of the SERP, monthly annuity payments payable to Mr. Wechsler, whose employment as Co-CEO terminated effective April 1, 2009, were deferred for six months and were paid in the form of a lump sum plus interest on the deferred amount on October 1, 2009. Thereafter, in accordance with the terms of the SERP, Mr. Wechsler was entitled to receive monthly annuity payments until the earlier of a change in control or August 1, 2010, at which time he was entitled to receive remaining benefits in the form of a lump sum payment. On August 1, 2010, the Company made a lump sum payment of $14.7 million to Mr. Wechsler in accordance with the terms of the plan, representing a settlement in full of Mr. Wechsler’s entitlement under the SERP.

In July 2000, the Company agreed to maintain health benefits for Messrs. Gelfond and Wechsler upon retirement. As at December 31, 2010, the Company had an unfunded benefit obligation recorded of $0.5 million (December 31, 2009 – $0.5 million).

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation expense recognized under ASC 718 for 2010 and 2009 was $27.7 million and $17.7 million, respectively.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Credit Facility

On June 2, 2011, the Company amended and restated the terms of its existing senior secured credit facility (the “Prior Credit Facility”), which had been scheduled to mature on October 31, 2013. The amended and restated facility (the “Credit Facility”), with a scheduled maturity of October 31, 2015, has a maximum borrowing capacity of $110.0 million, consisting of revolving asset-based loans of up to $50.0 million, subject to a borrowing base calculation (as described below) and including a sublimit of $20.0 million for letters of credit, and a revolving term loan of up to $60.0 million. The Prior Credit Facility had a maximum borrowing capacity of $75.0 million. Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries will serve as guarantors (the “Guarantors”) of the Company’s obligations under the Credit Facility. The Credit Facility is collateralized by a first priority security interest in substantially all of the present and future assets of the Company and the Guarantors.

The Company’s indebtedness under the Credit Facility includes the following:


	December 31, 2011		December 31, 2010
Term Loan (under the Prior Credit Facility)	$	—	$	17,500
Revolving Credit Facility		55,083		—

	$	55,083	$	17,500

As at December 31, 2011, the Company’s current borrowing capacity under the revolving asset-based portion of the Credit Facility was $47.1 million after deduction for letters of credit of $3.0 million, settlement loss on foreign currency contracts of $0.8 million and the minimum Excess Availability reserve of $5.0 million (December 31, 2010 – $40.0 million) and borrowing capacity under the revolving term portion of the Credit Facility was $4.9 million.

The terms of the Credit Facility are set forth in the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”), dated June 2, 2011, among the Company, Wells Fargo Capital Finance Corporation (Canada), as agent, lender, sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner, (“Wells Fargo”) and Export Development Canada, as lender (“EDC”, together with Wells Fargo, the “Lenders”) and in various collateral and security documents entered into by the Company and the Guarantors. Each of the Guarantors has also entered into a guarantee in respect of the Company’s obligations under the Credit Facility.

The revolving asset-based portion of the Credit Facility permits maximum aggregate borrowings equal to the lesser of:

(i) $50.0 million, and

(ii) a collateral calculation based on the percentages of the book values of certain of the Company’s net investment in sales-type leases, financing receivables, certain trade accounts receivable, finished goods inventory allocated to backlog contracts and the appraised values of the expected future cash flows related to operating leases and the Company’s owned real property, reduced by certain accruals and accounts payable and subject to other conditions, limitations and reserve right requirements.

Two years after entry into the Credit Facility any outstanding borrowings under the revolving term loan portion of the Credit Facility convert to a term loan to be repaid in accordance with the terms of the Credit Facility, any undrawn amounts under the revolving term loan are cancelled and the Company may not request any further advances under the revolving term loan.

The Company borrowed $29.6 million from the revolving term loan portion of the Credit Facility to repay $15.0 million in outstanding indebtedness under the revolving portion of the Prior Credit Facility and $14.6 million in outstanding indebtedness under the term loan portion of the Prior Credit Facility. The Company subsequently borrowed another $25.5 million under the revolving term loan portion of the Credit Facility.

The revolving asset-based portion of the Credit Facility bears interest, at the Company’s option, at (i) LIBOR plus a margin of 2.00% per annum, or (ii) Wells Fargo’s prime rate plus a margin of 0.50% per annum. The revolving term loan portion of the Credit Facility also bears interest at the Company’s option, at (i) LIBOR plus a margin of 2.00% per annum, or (ii) Wells Fargo’s prime rate plus a margin of 0.50% per annum. Under the Prior Credit Facility, the effective interest rate for the year ended December 31, 2011, for the term loan portion was 4.04% (2010 – 4.06%) and 2.97% for the revolving portion (2010 – 3.56%). Under the Credit Facility, the effective interest rate for the year ended December 31, 2011 for the revolving term loan portion was 2.50% (2010 – n/a). There was no amount drawn on the revolving asset-based portion of the Credit Facility.

The Credit Facility provides that the Company will be required to maintain a ratio of funded debt (as defined in the Credit Agreement) to EBITDA (as defined in the Credit Agreement) of not more than 2:1. The Company will also be required to maintain a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) of not less than 1.1:1.0. At all times under the terms of the Credit Facility, the Company is required to maintain minimum Excess Availability of not less than $5.0 million and minimum Cash and Excess Availability of not less than $15.0 million. The ratio of funded debt to EBITDA was 0.82:1 as at December 31, 2011, where Funded Debt (as defined in the Credit Agreement) is the sum of all obligations evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar instruments and was $55.1 million. EBITDA is calculated as follows:

EBITDA per Credit Facility:


*(In thousands of U.S. Dollars)*
Net earnings	$	15,543
Add (subtract):
Loss from equity accounted investments		1,791
Provision for income taxes		9,388
Interest expense net of interest income		1,770
Depreciation and amortization including film asset amortization⁽¹⁾		24,775
Write-downs net of recoveries including asset impairments and receivable provisions⁽¹⁾		1,954
Stock and other non-cash compensation		12,436

	$	67,657

(1)	See note 18 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements in Item 8.

The Credit Facility contains typical affirmative and negative covenants, including covenants that limit or restrict the ability of the Company and the Guarantors to: incur certain additional indebtedness; make certain loans, investments or guarantees; pay dividends; make certain asset sales; incur certain liens or other encumbrances; conduct certain transactions with affiliates and enter into certain corporate transactions.

The Credit Facility also contains customary events of default, including upon an acquisition or change of control or upon a change in the business and assets of the Company or a Guarantor that in each case is reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company or Guarantor. If an event of default occurs and is continuing under the Credit Facility, the Lenders may, among other things, terminate their commitments and require immediate repayment of all amounts owed by the Company.

Letters of Credit and Other Commitments

As at December 31, 2011, the Company has letters of credit and advance payment guarantees of $3.0 million outstanding (December 31, 2010 – $nil), under the Credit Facility.

The Company also has a $10.0 million facility for advance payment guarantees and letters of credit through the Bank of Montreal for use solely in conjunction with guarantees fully insured by EDC (the “Bank of Montreal Facility”). The Bank of Montreal Facility is unsecured and includes typical affirmative and negative covenants, including delivery of annual consolidated financial statements within 120 days of the end of the fiscal year. The Bank of Montreal Facility is subject to periodic annual reviews. As at December 31, 2011, the Company had letters of credit and advance payment guarantees outstanding of $0.8 million under the Bank of Montreal facility as compared to $2.4 million as at December 31, 2010.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

As at December 31, 2011, the Company’s principal sources of liquidity included cash and cash equivalents of $18.1 million, the Credit Facility, anticipated collection from trade accounts receivable of $46.7 million, anticipated collection from financing receivables due in the next 12 months of $12.8 million, payments expected in the next 12 months on existing backlog deals and cash receipts from theaters under joint revenue sharing arrangements. As at December 31, 2011, the Company had drawn down $nil (availability of $47.1 million) on the revolving asset-based portion of the Credit Facility and has availability of $4.9 million under the revolving term portion of the Credit Facility. In addition, the Company had letters of credit of $3.0 million outstanding under the Credit Facility and $0.8 million under the Bank of Montreal Facility.

During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company’s operations provided cash of $6.2 million and the Company used cash of $61.0 million to fund capital expenditures, principally to build equipment for use in joint revenue sharing arrangements, to purchase licenses and intellectual property related to certain digital technology and to purchase property, plant and equipment. Based on management’s current operating plan for 2012, the Company expects to continue to use cash to deploy additional theater systems under joint revenue sharing arrangements and DMR agreements with studios. Cash flows from joint revenue sharing arrangements are derived from the theater box office and concession revenues and the Company invested directly in the roll out of 86 new theater systems under joint revenue sharing arrangements in 2011.

The Company believes that cash flow from operations together with existing cash and borrowing available under the Credit Facility will be sufficient to fund the Company’s business operations, including its strategic initiatives relating to existing joint revenue sharing arrangements for the next 12 months.

The Company’s operating cash flow will be adversely affected if management’s projections of future signings for theater systems and film productions, installations and film performance are not realized. The Company forecasts its short-term liquidity requirements on a quarterly and annual basis. Since the Company’s future cash flows are based on estimates and there may be factors that are outside of the Company’s control (see “Risk Factors” in Item 1A in the Company’s 2011 Form 10-K), there is no guarantee that the Company will continue to be able to fund its operations through cash flows from operations. Under the terms of the Company’s typical sale and sales-type lease agreement, the Company receives substantial cash payments before the Company completes the performance of its obligations. Similarly, the Company receives cash payments for some of its film productions in advance of related cash expenditures.

Operating Activities

The Company’s net cash provided by operating activities is affected by a number of factors, including the proceeds associated with new signings of theater system lease and sale agreements in the year, costs associated with contributing systems under joint revenue sharing arrangements, the box office performance of films distributed to IMAX theaters, increases or decreases in the Company’s operating expenses, including research and development, and the level of cash collections received from its customers.

Cash provided by operating activities amounted to $6.2 million in 2011. Changes in other non-cash operating assets as compared to 2010 include: an increase of $14.6 million in financing receivables; an increase of $7.5 million in accounts receivable; an increase of $1.3 million in inventories; an increase of $0.3 million in prepaid expenses; $1.0 million increase in other assets which includes a $0.4 million decrease in commissions and other deferred selling expenses and a $1.0 million decrease in insurance recoveries receivable and an increase in other assets of $2.4 million. Changes in other non-cash operating liabilities as compared to December 31, 2010 include: an increase in deferred revenue of $0.7 million related to amounts added to deferred revenue for backlog payments received in the current year, offset by amounts relieved from deferred revenue related to theater system installations; an increase in accounts payable of $5.6 million and a decrease of $31.0 million in accrued liabilities including payments of $23.7 million for variable stock-based compensation.

Included in accrued liabilities at December 31, 2011, was $19.0 million in respect of accrued pension obligations.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities amounted to $63.5 million in 2011 compared to $23.8 million in 2010, which includes an investment in joint revenue sharing equipment of $33.3 million, purchases of $5.5 million in property, plant and equipment, an additional investment in business ventures of $2.5 million and an increase in other intangible assets of $22.2 million.

Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities in 2011, amounted to $45.1 million due to an increase in net bank indebtedness of $37.6 million and proceeds from the issuance of common shares from stock option exercises of $7.9 million, offset by a $0.3 million in payment of fees relating to the Credit Facility amendment.

Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures, including the Company’s investment in joint revenue sharing equipment, purchase of property, plant and equipment, purchase of other intangible assets and investments in film assets were $73.3 million in 2011 as compared to $37.4 million in 2010. In 2012 the Company anticipates continued capital expenditures due in large part to the roll-out of theaters pursuant to joint revenue sharing arrangements.

Prior Year Cash Flow Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities amounted to $58.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2010. Changes in other non-cash operating assets and liabilities included a $11.9 million increase in financing receivables, an increase of $2.4 million in accounts receivable, an increase in inventories of $3.8 million, a $0.2 million increase in prepaid expenses, a $0.3 million increase in other assets which includes a $0.4 million increase in commissions and other deferred selling expenses and a $0.1 million decrease in insurance recoveries receivable, an increase in accounts payable of $0.1 million, an increase in deferred revenue of $15.7 million, related to amounts added to deferred revenue for backlog payments received offset by amounts relieved from deferred revenue related to theater system installations in 2010 and a decrease of $25.8 million in accrued liabilities largely due to a payment of pension benefits in the amount of $14.7 million and payments

of $14.5 million in variable stock-based compensation. Net cash used in investing activities in the year ended December 31, 2010 amounted to $23.8 million, which includes an investment in joint revenue sharing equipment of $21.3 million, purchases of $5.3 million in property, plant and equipment, an investment in other assets of $0.7 million, investments in new business ventures of $3.6 million and an increase in other intangible assets of $0.7 million. Net cash used in financing activities in 2010 amounted to $24.2 million due to repayment of bank indebtedness of $32.5 million, offset by the proceeds from the issuance of common shares from stock option exercises.

Capital expenditures including the Company’s investment in joint revenue sharing equipment, purchase of property, plant and equipment net of sales proceeds and investments in film assets were $36.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2010.

In 2009, the Company repurchased all $160.0 million aggregate principal amount of its outstanding 9.625% Senior Notes due December 1, 2010, which represented the aggregate principal amount outstanding. The Company paid cash of $159.1 million to reacquire its bonds, thereby releasing the Company from further obligations to various holders under the indenture governing the Senior Notes (the “Indenture”). The Company accounted for the bond repurchase in accordance with the Debt Topic of the FASB ASC, whereby the net carrying amount of the debt extinguished was the face value of the bonds adjusted for any unamortized premium, discount and costs of issuance, which resulted in a loss of $0.6 million in 2009.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

The following summarizes the Company’s contractual obligations and commercial commitments at December 31, 2011 that will be settled in future periods:


	Payments Due by Period
*(In thousands of U.S. Dollars)*	Total Obligations		2012		2013		2014		2015		2016		Thereafter

Pension obligations⁽¹⁾	$	19,676	$	—	$	—	$	19,676	$	—	$	—	$	—
Credit Facility⁽²⁾		55,083						—		55,083		—		—
Operating lease obligations⁽³⁾		13,196		6,536		2,983		1,332		511		511		1,323
Purchase obligations⁽⁴⁾		12,900		12,900		—		—		—		—		—
Postretirement benefits obligations		502		15		16		35		38		42		356
Capital lease obligations⁽⁵⁾		42		22		20		—		—		—		—

	$	101,399	$	19,473	$	3,019	$	21,043	$	55,632	$	553	$	1,679

(1)	The SERP assumptions are that Mr. Gelfond will receive a lump sum payment six months after retirement at the end of the current term of his employment agreement (December 31, 2013), although Mr. Gelfond has not informed the Company that he intends to retire at that time.

(2)	Interest on the Credit Facility is payable monthly in arrears based on the applicable variable rate and is not included above.

(3)	The Company’s total minimum annual rental payments to be made under operating leases, mostly consisting of rent at the Company’s properties in New York, Santa Monica, Shanghai and at the various owned and operated theaters.

(4)	The Company’s total payments to be made under binding commitments with suppliers and outstanding payments to be made for supplies ordered but yet to be invoiced.

(5)	The Company’s total minimum annual payments to be made under capital leases, mostly consisting of payments for information technology hardware and various other fixed assets.

Pension and Postretirement Obligations

The Company has an unfunded defined benefit pension plan, the SERP, covering Messrs. Gelfond and Wechsler. As at December 31, 2011, the Company had an unfunded and accrued projected benefit obligation of approximately $19.0 million (December 31, 2010 – $18.1 million) in respect of the SERP. At the time the Company established the SERP, it also took out life insurance policies on Messrs. Gelfond and Wechsler with coverage amounts of $21.5 million in aggregate. During 2010, the Company obtained $7.8 million representing the cash surrender value of the policies. The proceeds were used to pay down the term loan under the Company’s senior secured credit facility and fund part of the $14.7 million lump sum payment made to Mr. Wechsler on August 1, 2010 under the SERP which settled in full Mr. Wechsler’s entitlement under the SERP. At December 31, 2011, the cash surrender value of these policies was $nil.

Under the terms of the SERP, if Mr. Gelfond’s employment is terminated other than for cause after August 1, 2010, he is entitled to receive SERP benefits in the form of a lump sum payment. SERP benefit payments to Mr. Gelfond are subject to a deferral for six months after the termination of his employment, at which time Mr. Gelfond will be entitled to receive interest on the deferred amount credited at the applicable federal rate for short-term obligations. The term of Mr. Gelfond’s current employment agreement has been extended through December 31, 2013. Under the terms of the extension, Mr. Gelfond also agreed that any compensation earned during 2011, 2012 and 2013 would not be included in calculating his entitlement under the SERP.

In 2010, under the terms of the SERP, the Company made a lump sum payment of $14.7 million to Mr. Wechsler in accordance with the terms of the plan, representing a settlement in full of Mr. Wechsler’s entitlement under the SERP.

In July 2000, the Company agreed to maintain health benefits for Messrs. Gelfond and Wechsler upon retirement. As at December 31, 2011, the Company had an unfunded benefit obligation of $0.5 million (December 31, 2010 – $0.5 million).

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

There are currently no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on the Company’s financial condition.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

The Company is exposed to market risk from foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates, which could affect operating results, financial position and cash flows. Market risk is the potential change in an instrument’s value caused by, for example, fluctuations in interest and currency exchange rates. The Company’s primary market risk exposure is the risk of unfavorable movements in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the Canadian dollar. The Company does not use financial instruments for trading or other speculative purposes.

Foreign Exchange Rate Risk

A majority of the Company’s revenue is denominated in U.S. dollars while a significant portion of its costs and expenses is denominated in Canadian dollars. A portion of the Company’s net U.S. dollar cash flows is converted to Canadian dollars to fund Canadian dollar expenses through the spot market. In China, The Company has incoming cash flows from its revenue generating theaters and ongoing operating expenses for the IMAX Shanghai Multimedia Technology Co., Ltd office in Renminbi. In Japan, the Company has ongoing operating expenses related to its operations. Net Renminbi and Japanese yen cash flows are converted to U.S. dollars through the spot market. The Company also has cash receipts under leases denominated in Japanese yen, Euros and Canadian dollars.

The Company manages its exposure to foreign exchange rate risks through its regular operating and financing activities and, when appropriate, through the use of derivative financial instruments. These derivative financial instruments are utilized to hedge economic exposures as well as reduce earnings and cash flow volatility resulting from shifts in market rates.

For the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company recorded a foreign exchange loss on translation of foreign currency working capital balances and unhedged foreign currency forward contracts of $1.3 million as compared with a foreign exchange gain of $1.5 million in 2010.

The Company entered into a series of foreign currency forward contracts to manage the Company’s risks associated with the volatility of foreign currencies with settlement dates throughout 2012. In addition, at December 31, 2011, the Company held foreign currency forward contracts to manage foreign currency risk on future anticipated Canadian dollar expenditures that were not considered foreign currency hedges by the Company. Foreign currency derivatives are recognized and measured in the balance sheet at fair value. Changes in the fair value (gains or losses) are recognized in the consolidated statement of operations except for derivatives designated and qualifying as foreign currency hedging instruments. For foreign currency hedging instruments, the effective portion of the gain or loss in a hedge of a forecasted transaction is reported in other comprehensive income and reclassified to the consolidated statement of operations when the forecasted transaction occurs. Any ineffective portion is recognized immediately in the consolidated statement of operations. The notional value of these contracts at December 31, 2011 was $20.6 million (December 31, 2010 – $12.7 million). A loss of $0.2 million was recorded to other comprehensive income with respect to the decline in the value of these contracts in 2011 (2010 – gain of $0.8 million). A gain of $0.7 million was reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) to selling, general and administrative expenses in 2011 (2010 – gain of $0.7 million). Appreciation or depreciation on forward contracts not meeting the requirements for hedge accounting in the Derivatives and Hedging Topic of the FASB ASC are recorded to selling, general and administrative expenses. The notional value of forward contracts that do not qualify for hedge accounting at December 31, 2011 was $67.3 million (December 31, 2010 – $28.8 million).

For all derivative instruments, the Company is subject to counterparty credit risk to the extent that the counterparty may not meet its obligations to the Company. To manage this risk, the Company enters into derivative transactions only with major financial institutions.

At December 31, 2011, the Company’s net investment in leases and working capital items denominated in Canadian dollars, Japanese Yen and Euros aggregated to $0.5 million. Assuming a 10% appreciation or depreciation in foreign currency exchange rates from the quoted foreign currency exchange rates at December 31, 2011, the potential change in the fair value of foreign currency-denominated net investment in leases and working capital items would be less than $0.1 million. A significant portion of the Company’s selling, general, and administrative expenses are denominated in Canadian dollars. Assuming a 1% change appreciation or depreciation in foreign currency exchange rates at December 31, 2011, the potential change in the amount of selling, general, and administrative expenses would be $0.1 million for every $10.0 million in Canadian denominated expenditures.

Interest Rate Risk Management

The Company’s earnings are also affected by changes in interest rates due to the impact those changes have on its interest income from cash, and its interest expense from variable-rate borrowings under the Credit Facility.

As at December 31, 2011, the Company’s borrowings under the Credit Facility were $55.1 million (December 31, 2010 – $17.5 million).

The Company’s largest exposure with respect to variable rate debt comes from changes in the LIBOR. The Company had variable rate debt instruments representing approximately 25.8% and 9.2% of its total liabilities at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. If the interest rates available to the Company increased by 10%, the Company’s interest expense would increase by approximately $0.1 million and interest income from cash would increase by approximately less than $0.1 million. These amounts are determined by considering the impact of the hypothetical interest rates on the Company’s variable rate debt and cash balances at December 31, 2011.

At December 31, 2011, the Company is not exposed to any market risk for fixed rate debt as the Company repurchased all of the remaining $160.0 million of its Senior Notes due December 2010 in 2009.

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


	Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm		84
Consolidated Balance Sheets as at December 31, 2011 and 2010		85
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009		86
Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009		87
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009		88
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009		89
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements		90

************

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders of IMAX Corporation:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of IMAX Corporation and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, cash flows and shareholders’ equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011. In addition, we have audited the financial statement schedule listed in the index under Item 15(a)(2). We also have audited IMAX Corporation’s and its subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). IMAX Corporation’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting under Item 9A of its 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements, the financial statement schedule and the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall consolidated financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of IMAX Corporation and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the index under Item 15(a)(2) presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. Also in our opinion, IMAX Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Chartered Accountants, Licensed Public Accountants

Toronto, Ontario

February 23, 2012

IMAX CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

In accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

(In thousands of U.S. dollars)


	As at December 31,
	2011			2010
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	18,138		$	30,390
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,840 (December 31, 2010—$1,988)		46,659			39,570
Financing receivables (notes 4 and 20(c))		86,714			73,601
Inventories (note 5)		19,747			15,275
Prepaid expenses		3,126			2,832
Film assets (note 6)		2,388			2,449
Property, plant and equipment (note 7)		101,253			74,035
Other assets (notes 8, 20(d) and 20(e))		14,238			12,350
Deferred income taxes (note 9)		50,033			57,122
Goodwill		39,027			39,027
Other intangible assets (note 10)		24,913			2,437

Total assets	$	406,236		$	349,088

Liabilities
Bank indebtedness (note 11)	$	55,083		$	17,500
Accounts payable		28,985			20,384
Accrued and other liabilities (notes 6, 12(a), 12(c), 13, 14(c), 20(b), 20(d), 21 and 23)		54,803			78,994
Deferred revenue		74,458			73,752

Total liabilities		213,329			190,630

Commitments and contingencies (notes 12 and 13)
Shareholders’ equity
Capital stock (note 14) common shares—no par value. Authorized—unlimited number.
Issued and outstanding—65,052,740 (December 31, 2010—64,145,573)		303,395			292,977
Other equity		17,510			7,687
Deficit		(125,666	)		(141,209	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(2,332	)