IMAX CORP - Annual Report: 2019 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

Form 10-K

(Mark One)

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019

Commission file Number 001-35066

IMAX Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(Address of principal executive offices, zip code, telephone numbers)

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

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 ☒    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  ☒

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 ☒    No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files).  Yes ☒    No ☐

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

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

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

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, 2019 was $1,045.9 million.

As of January 31, 2020, there were 61,362,872 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, 2019, 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, 2019

Table of Contents

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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, 2019 was U.S. $0.7699.

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 consolidated 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, 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; risks related to the Company’s growth and operations in China, including the adverse impact of the coronavirus outbreak in China; the performance of IMAX DMR® films; the signing of theater system agreements; conditions, changes and developments in the commercial exhibition industry; risks related to currency fluctuations; the potential impact of increased competition in the markets within which the Company operates; competitive actions by other companies; the failure to respond to change and advancements in digital technology; risks relating to recent consolidation among commercial exhibitors and studios; risks related to new business initiatives; conditions in the in-home and out-of-home entertainment industries; the opportunities (or lack thereof) that may be presented to and pursued by the Company; risks related to cyber-security and data privacy; risks related to the Company’s inability to protect the Company’s intellectual property; general economic, market or business conditions; the failure to convert theater system backlog into revenue; changes in laws or regulations; the failure to fully realize the projected cost savings and benefits from any of the Company’s restructuring initiatives 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 nXos^® and Films To The Fullest™ are trademarks and trade names of the Company or its subsidiaries that are registered or otherwise protected under laws of various jurisdictions.

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PART I

Item 1.  Business

The Company is a Canadian corporation that 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.

GENERAL

The Company, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, is one of the world’s leading entertainment technology companies, specializing in technological innovations powering the presentation of some of today’s most immersive entertainment experiences. Through its proprietary software, theater architecture, patented intellectual property and specialized equipment, IMAX offers a unique end-to-end cinematic solution to create the highest-quality, most immersive motion picture and other event experiences for which the IMAX® brand has become known globally. Top filmmakers and studios utilize the cutting-edge visual and sound technology of IMAX to connect with audiences in innovative ways, and as a result, IMAX’s network is among the most important and successful distribution platforms for major films and other events around the world.

The Company leverages its innovative technology and engineering in all aspects of its business, which consists of:

IMAX theater systems are based on proprietary and patented image, audio and other technology developed over the course of the Company’s 52-year history. The Company’s customers who purchase, lease or otherwise acquire the IMAX theater systems through joint revenue sharing arrangements 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 the IMAX theater system. The Company refers to all theaters using the IMAX theater system as “IMAX theaters.”

IMAX theater systems combine:

     In addition, some IMAX movies are filmed using proprietary IMAX film and IMAX certified digital cameras, which offer filmmakers customized guidance and workflow process to provide further enhanced and differentiated image quality and a film aspect ratio that delivers up to 26% more image onto a movie screen.

Together these components cause 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.

As a result of the engineering and scientific achievements that are a hallmark of The IMAX Experience®, the Company’s exhibitor customers typically charge a premium for IMAX DMR films over films exhibited in their other auditoriums. The premium pricing, combined with the higher attendance levels associated with IMAX DMR films, generates incremental box office for the Company’s exhibitor customers and for the movie studios releasing their films to the IMAX theater network. The incremental box office generated by IMAX DMR films has helped establish IMAX as a key premium distribution and marketing platform for Hollywood blockbuster films.

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As one of the world’s leaders in entertainment technology, the Company strives to remain at the forefront of advancements in cinema technology. The Company recently introduced IMAX with Laser, the Company’s next-generation laser projection system designed for IMAX theaters in commercial multiplexes, which represents a further evolution of IMAX’s proprietary technology. The Company believes that IMAX with Laser delivers increased resolution, sharper and brighter images, deeper contrast as well as the widest range of colors available to filmmakers today. The Company further believes that IMAX with Laser can help facilitate the next major contract renewal and upgrade cycle for the global commercial IMAX network.

To date the Company has signed IMAX with Laser agreements with leading, global exhibitors such as AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (“AMC”), Cineworld Group PLC (“Cineworld”), CGV Holdings Limited (“CGV”) and Les Cinémas Pathé Gaumont (“Pathé”) (among others) for a total of 139 new theaters, 147 upgrades to existing IMAX theaters, and 52 upgrades to existing backlog arrangements. As at December 31, 2019, the Company’s backlog had 144 new IMAX with Laser systems and 92 upgrades to IMAX with Laser systems and has installed 130 IMAX with Laser systems.

The Company is also experimenting with new technologies and new content as a way to deepen consumer engagement and brand loyalty, which includes curating unique, differentiated alternative content to be exhibited in IMAX theaters, particularly during those periods when Hollywood blockbuster film content is not available.  In 2019, the Company has piloted filmed events including Anima, a one-night only event in June featuring music from Radiohead’s Thom Yorke, and Soundgarden: Live from the Artist’s Den: The IMAX Experience, in July and August, in select IMAX theaters. During the fourth quarter of 2019, IMAX released the Kanye West film Jesus is King: The IMAX Experience in select IMAX theaters.

In early 2020, in response to the public health risks associated with an outbreak of coronavirus in Wuhan, China, Chinese exhibitors temporarily closed more than 70,000 movie theaters, including all of the approximately 700 IMAX theaters in mainland China. The theaters have been closed since late January 2020, including over the Lunar New Year holiday, and have not yet reopened as of the date of this report. Chinese movie studios also postponed the release of multiple films, including those originally scheduled to be released over this holiday, five of which were scheduled to be shown in IMAX theaters.  See “Risk Factors – The Company’s results of operations are expected to be adversely impacted by the recent coronavirus outbreak in China” in Item 1A of this 2019 Form 10-K, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Impact of Coronavirus” in Item 7 of this 2019 Form 10-K and note 29 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this 2019 Form 10-K.

IMAX THEATER NETWORK

The Company believes the IMAX theater network is one of the most extensive premium theater networks in the world with 1,624 theater systems (1,529 commercial multiplex, 14 commercial destination, 81 institutional) operating in 81 countries and territories as at December 31, 2019.

The Company believes that over time its commercial multiplex theater network could grow to approximately 3,318 IMAX theaters worldwide from the 1,529 commercial multiplex IMAX theaters in operation as at December 31, 2019. While the Company continues to grow in the United States and Canada, it believes that the majority of its future growth will come from international markets. As at December 31, 2019, 71.9% of IMAX theater systems in operation were located within international markets (defined as all countries other than the United States and Canada), up from 70.1% as at December 31, 2018, and approximately 85.7% of the new IMAX theater systems in backlog are scheduled to be installed in international markets, compared to 86.2% as at December 31, 2018. Revenues and gross box office derived from outside the United States and Canada continue to exceed revenues and gross box-office from within the United States and Canada.

Greater China is currently the Company’s largest market, measured by revenues, with approximately 31% of overall revenues generated from the Company’s China operations in 2019. As at December 31, 2019, the Company had 717 theaters operating in Greater China and an additional 252 new theaters (plus 1 upgrade) in backlog that are scheduled to be installed in Greater China by 2023. The Company’s backlog in Greater China represents 47.6% of the Company’s current backlog for new and upgraded IMAX theater systems. The Company’s largest single international partnership is in China with Wanda Film, formerly Wanda Cinema Line Corporation (“Wanda”). Wanda’s total commitment to the Company, including both installed and backlog theaters, is for 359 theater systems, of which 345 theater systems are under the parties’ joint revenue sharing arrangement.

The Company indirectly owns approximately 69.74% of IMAX China Holding, Inc. (“IMAX China”), whose shares trade on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. IMAX China remains a consolidated subsidiary of the Company.

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PRINCIPAL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

The Company believes it is the world’s largest designer and manufacturer of specialty premium projection and sound system components for large-format theaters around the world, and it is also a significant distributor of large-format films. The Company’s theater systems include specialized IMAX projectors, advanced sound systems and specialty screens.

The Company’s principal products and services are as follows:

These product lines do not reflect the nature and sources of revenue, or the manner in which management reviews financial information. The Company’s segmented information is provided in Item 7 and note 21 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2019 (this “2019 Form 10-K”), which is incorporated by reference into this Item I.

Digital Re-Mastering (IMAX DMR)

The Company has developed a proprietary technology, known as IMAX DMR, to digitally re-master Hollywood films into IMAX digital cinema package format or 15/70-format film for exhibition in IMAX theaters. 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. The original soundtrack of a film to be exhibited in the IMAX theater network is re-mastered for the IMAX digital sound systems in connection with the IMAX DMR release. 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 an optimal listening position.

The IMAX DMR process involves the following:

IMAX films also benefit from enhancements made by individual filmmakers exclusively for the IMAX release, and filmmakers and studios have sought IMAX-specific enhancements in recent years to generate interest in and excitement for their films. Such enhancements include shooting films with IMAX cameras to increase the audience’s immersion in the film and taking advantage of the unique dimensions of the IMAX screen by projecting the film in a larger aspect ratio that delivers up to 26% more image onto a movie screen. Avengers: Endgame, the highest-grossing film in history, released in April 2019, was shot entirely using IMAX cameras. Collectively, the Company refers to those enhancements as “IMAX DNA”. In addition, in 2019 Alita: Battle Angel, Captain Marvel and Disney’s The Lion King were all released with select scenes specifically formatted for IMAX screens.

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In 2019, 60 films were converted through the IMAX DMR process and released to theaters in the IMAX network by film studios as compared to 70 films in 2018.

To date, the Company has announced the following 22 DMR titles to be released in 2020 to the IMAX theater network. The following dates noted for film release are subject to change and may vary by territory.

In addition, the Company will be releasing an IMAX original production, Asteroid Hunters, in April 2020.

The Company remains in active negotiations with all of the major Hollywood studios for additional films to fill out its short and long-term film slate for the IMAX theater network in 2020.

As noted above, the Company is also engaged in discussions regarding new technologies and new content in connection with bringing unique events outside of films to the global IMAX theater network.

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IMAX Systems

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 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. 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 globally recognized IMAX brand.

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, while providing for the compelling economics and flexibility that digital technology affords.

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.

Revenue from theater business arrangements is recognized at a different time from when cash is collected. See “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in Item 7 and note 20 in Item 8 of this 2019 Form 10-K for further discussion on the Company’s revenue recognition policies.

IMAX Theater Backlog and Network

The Company’s sales backlog is as follows:

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The number of theater systems in the backlog reflects the minimum number of commitments under signed contracts. The dollar value fluctuates depending on the number of new theater system arrangements signed from year to year, 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, as well as a variable consideration estimate, however it excludes amounts allocated to maintenance and extended warranty revenues. The value of sales backlog does not include revenue from theaters in which the Company has an equity interest, operating leases or long-term conditional theater commitments. The value of theaters under joint revenue sharing arrangements is excluded from the dollar value of sales backlog, although certain theater systems under joint revenue sharing arrangements provide for contracted upfront payments and therefore carry a backlog value based on those payments. The Company believes that the contractual obligations for theater system installations that are listed in sales backlog are valid and binding commitments.

From time to time, in the normal course of its business, the Company will have customers who are unable to proceed with a theater system installation for a variety of reasons, including the inability to obtain certain consents, approvals or financing. Once the determination is made that the customer will not proceed with installation, the agreement with the customer is 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.

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

IMAX theater systems consist of the following configurations:

IMAX Flat Screen and IMAX Dome Theater Systems  

IMAX flat screen and IMAX dome systems primarily have been installed 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. As at December 31, 2019, there were 40 IMAX flat screen and IMAX dome theater systems in the IMAX network, as compared to 44 IMAX flat screen and IMAX dome theater systems as at December 31, 2018.  With the introduction of the IMAX digital theater systems, there has been a decrease in the number of IMAX flat screen and IMAX dome theater systems in the network. With the introduction of laser-based digital systems, the Company has been able to create a new Laser Dome solution for its institutional customers. As at December 31, 2019, the Company had installed four IMAX with Laser Domes, which are included in the above numbers.

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IMAX 3D GT and IMAX 3D SR Theater Systems  

IMAX 3D theaters utilize a flat screen 3D system, which produces realistic 3D images on an IMAX screen. As at December 31, 2019, there were 17 IMAX 3D GT and IMAX 3D SR theater systems in operation compared to 19 IMAX 3D GT and IMAX 3D SR theater systems in operation as at December 31, 2018. The decrease in the number of 3D GT and 3D SR theater systems is largely attributable to the conversion of existing 3D GT and 3D SR theater systems to IMAX digital theater systems.

IMAX Digital: Xenon Theater Systems  

The vast majority of the Company’s theater system signings have been for the Company’s proprietary xenon-based digital systems. The Company believes that its xenon-based digital projection system delivers high quality imagery compared with other xenon systems. Although the Company has introduced a new laser-based digital projection solution, the Company does not believe this will decrease the number of xenon-based digital theater systems installed in the immediate future. As at December 31, 2019, the Company had 1,374 xenon-based digital theater systems in the theater network and has an additional 281 xenon-based digital theater systems in its backlog.

IMAX Digital: Laser Theater Systems

At the end of 2014, the Company introduced its laser-based digital projection system. As a result of continued research and development aimed at creating a solution that is more affordable for its commercial multiplex partners, the Company rolled out IMAX with Laser in 2018, the Company’s next-generation laser projection system designed for IMAX theaters in commercial multiplexes.  The Company believes IMAX laser-based digital projectors present greater brightness and clarity, higher contrast, a wider color gamut and deeper blacks, consume less power and last longer than other digital projection technologies, and are capable of illuminating the largest screens in the IMAX theater network. As at December 31, 2019, the Company had 63 GT laser-based digital systems as compared to 59 as at December 31, 2018 in the theater network. As at December 31, 2019, the Company had 130 IMAX with Laser systems as compared to 37 as at December 31, 2018 in the theater network.

New Business Initiatives

In recent years, the Company has been exploring several new lines of business and new initiatives to leverage its proprietary innovative technologies, its leadership position in the entertainment technology space and its unique relationship with content creators.

IMAX Enhanced

In September 2018, the Company announced a new home entertainment licensing and certification program called IMAX Enhanced. This initiative was launched along with audio leader DTS (an Xperi subsidiary), capitalizing on the companies’ decades of combined expertise in image and sound science. The certification program combines high-end consumer electronics products with IMAX digitally re-mastered 4K high dynamic range (HDR) content and DTS audio technologies to offer consumers immersive sight and sound experiences for the home.

To be accepted into the program, leading consumer electronics manufacturers must design 4K HDR televisions, A/V receivers, sound systems and other home theater equipment to meet a carefully prescribed set of audio and video performance standards, set by a certification committee of IMAX and DTS engineers and some of Hollywood’s leading technical specialists.

The program will digitally re-master content to produce more vibrant colors, greater contrast and sharper clarity, and will also deliver an IMAX signature sound experience.

IMAX Enhanced Program currently includes device partners such as Sony Electronics, Denon, Marantz, Pioneer, TCL (among others), studio partners such as Sony Pictures and Paramount Pictures and streaming platforms such as Fandango Now, Rakuten TV and Sony.

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Connected Theaters

The Company is currently exploring new technologies and forms of content as a way to deepen consumer engagement and brand loyalty. As such, the Company is currently engaged in discussions regarding new technologies to further connect the IMAX theater network and to facilitate bringing more unique content, including broadcasts of live events, to IMAX theater audiences. The Company believes such additional connectivity can provide more innovative content to the IMAX theater network and in turn permit the Company to engage audiences in new ways.

The Company continues to believe that the IMAX network serves as a valuable platform to launch and distribute original content, especially during shoulder periods.

Original Content

The Company has created two film funds to help finance the production of original content. The Company formed the IMAX China Film Fund (the “China Film Fund”), with its subsidiary IMAX China as General Partner, to help fund Mandarin language commercial films. No investments in Mandarin language films were made in 2019.

In addition, the Company’s IMAX Original Film Fund (the “Original Film Fund”) was established in 2014 to co-finance a portfolio of 10 original large format films. The initial investment in the Film Fund was committed to by a third party in the amount of $25.0 million, with the possibility of contributing additional funds. The Company has contributed $9.0 million to the Original Film Fund since 2014, and has reached its maximum contribution. The Company sees the Original Film Fund as a vehicle designed to generate a continuous, steady flow of high-quality documentary content. As at December 31, 2019, the Original Film Fund has invested $22.3 million toward the development of original films. The related production, financing and distribution agreement includes put and call rights relating to change of control of the rights, title and interest in the co-financed pictures.

The Company continues to believe that the IMAX network serves as a valuable platform to launch and distribute a broad variety of original content, especially during shoulder periods.

Virtual Reality

In 2017, the Company piloted a virtual reality (“VR”) initiative which included several pilot IMAX VR Centers located in a number of multiplexes, as well as a stand-alone venue, each outfitted with proprietary VR pods that permitted interactive, moveable VR experiences.

The Company also established its VR Fund among the Company, its subsidiary IMAX China and other strategic investors to help finance the creation of interactive VR content experiences for use across all VR platforms, including in the pilot IMAX VR Centers.

In December 2018, the Company announced, in connection with its strategic review of its VR pilot initiative, that it had decided to close its remaining VR locations and write-off certain VR content investments. In January 2019, the Company decided to dissolve the VR Fund. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company has recognized asset impairment and exit costs related to its VR investments of $7.2 million. No such charge was recorded in the year ended December 31, 2019. For additional information refer to note 26 in Item 8 of this 2019 Form 10-K.

Other

The Company is also a distributor of large-format films, primarily for its institutional theater partners. The Company generally distributes films which it produces or for which it has acquired distribution rights from independent producers. The Company receives either a percentage of the theater box office receipts or a fixed amount as a distribution fee.

The ownership rights to such films may be held by the film sponsors, the film investors and/or the Company. As at December 31, 2019, the Company currently has distribution rights with respect to 48 of such films, which cover subjects such as space, wildlife, music, history and natural wonders.

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Several more recent large-format films that have been distributed by the Company include: Superpower Dogs, which was released in March 2019 and has grossed over $9.0 million as at the end of 2019; Pandas, which was released in April 2018 and has grossed over $9.4 million as at the end of 2019; A Beautiful Planet, which was released in April 2016 and has grossed over $25.5 million as at the end of 2019; Island of Lemurs: Madagascar, which was released in April 2014 and has grossed over $14.1 million as at the end of 2019; Journey to the South Pacific, which was released in 2013 and has grossed $14.4 million as at the end of 2019. 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 SPACE STATION, Hubble 3D and T-REX: Back to the Cretaceous.

In addition, the Company also provides film post-production and quality control services for large-format films (whether produced internally or externally), and digital post-production services. The Company derives a small portion of its revenues from other sources including: one owned and operated IMAX theater; a commercial arrangement with one theater resulting in the sharing of profits and losses; the provision of management services to four other theaters; renting its proprietary 2D and 3D large-format film and digital cameras to third-party production companies; and also offering production advice and technical assistance to both documentary and Hollywood filmmakers. In January 2019, the Company closed its owned and operated theater in Minneapolis, Minnesota to better focus on other parts of its business. The Company now has one remaining owned and operated theater in Sacramento, California.

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, Greater China, 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.

The commercial multiplex theater segment of the IMAX theater network is the Company’s largest segment, comprising 1,529 IMAX theaters, or 94.2%, of the 1,624 IMAX theaters open or operational as at December 31, 2019. 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, private home theaters, tourist destination sites, fairs and expositions (the Commercial Destination segment). At December 31, 2019, approximately 71.9% 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:

For information on revenue breakdown by geographic area, see note 21 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this 2019 Form 10-K. 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, sales and future growth prospects” and “Risk Factors – The Company faces risks in connection with the continued expansion of its business in China” in Item 1A. The Company’s largest customer, Wanda, as at December 31, 2019, represents 33.9% of the Company’s network of theaters, 25.6% of the Company’s theater system backlog and 16.5% of revenues.

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INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

Competition

The out-of-home entertainment industry is very competitive, and the Company faces a number of competitive challenges. In recent years, for instance, exhibitors and entertainment technology companies have introduced their own branded, large-screen 3D auditoriums or other proprietary theater systems, some of which include laser-based projectors, and in many cases, have marketed those auditoriums or theater systems as having similar quality or attributes as an IMAX theater. The Company believes that all of these alternative formats deliver images and experiences that are inferior to The IMAX Experience.  

The Company may continue to 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, streaming services, video-on-demand, Blu-ray Disc, 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 and international filmmakers, a number of whom desire to film their movies with IMAX cameras, the quality of the sound system components included with the IMAX theater, the availability of Hollywood and international 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 its laser-based projection system increases further the technological superiority of the consumer experience it delivers. As a result, the Company believes that virtually all of the best performing premium theaters in the world are IMAX theaters.

Exhibitor Consolidation

The Company’s primary customers are commercial multiplex exhibitors. The commercial exhibition industry has undergone significant consolidation in recent years, with Dalian Wanda’s acquisitions of AMC and Hoyts Group in 2012 and 2015, respectively, and AMC’s acquisition of Carmike Cinemas and Odeon & UCI Cinemas Group (“Odeon”), which includes Nordic Cinema Group (“Nordic”), in 2016. In recent years, the industry has continued to consolidate, as evidenced by Cineworld Group’s acquisition of Regal Entertainment Group (“Regal”), the Company’s second largest customer, and Cineworld’s planned acquisition of Cineplex Inc. announced late in 2019.

The Company believes that recent exhibitor consolidation has helped facilitate the growth of the Company’s theater network. The Company has historically enjoyed strong relationships with large commercial exhibitor chains, which have greater capital to purchase, lease or otherwise acquire IMAX theater systems. As larger commercial chains such as AMC have purchased smaller chains, those smaller chains have in turn become part of the IMAX theater network. For instance, following AMC’s acquisition of Odeon and Nordic, the Company and AMC entered into an agreement for 25 new IMAX theater systems across the Odeon and Nordic theater network. The Company believes that continued consolidation could facilitate further signings and other strategic benefits going forward.

However, exhibitor consolidation has also resulted in individual exhibitor chains constituting a material portion of the Company’s revenue and network. Continued industry consolidation (as well as consolidation in the movie studio industry) may present risks to the Company. See “Risk Factors - Recent consolidation among commercial exhibitors and studios reduces the breadth of the Company’s customer base, and could result in a narrower market for the Company’s products and reduced negotiating leverage. A deterioration in the Company’s relationship with key partners could materially, adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operation. In addition, an adverse economic impact on a significant customer’s business operations could have a corresponding material adverse effect on the Company” in Item 1A of this 2019 Form 10-K.

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THE IMAX BRAND

IMAX is a world leader in entertainment technology. The Company relies on its brand to communicate its leadership and singular goal of creating entertainment experiences that exceed all expectations. Top filmmakers and studios use the IMAX brand to message that a film will connect with audiences in unique and extraordinary ways. The IMAX brand is a promise to deliver what today’s movie audiences crave — a memorable, more emotionally engaging, more thrilling and shareable experience. Consumer research conducted in six countries worldwide by a leading third-party research firm shows that the IMAX brand has near universal awareness, creates a special experience and is one of the most differentiated movie-going brands. On a standardized measure of brand equity, the IMAX brand ranged from two to 10 times more powerful than other entertainment technology brands. The Company believes that its strong brand equity supports consumers’ predisposition to choose IMAX over competing brands and to pay a premium for The IMAX Experience now and into the future.

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 laser-based technology. The Company increased its level of research and development in order to develop laser-based projection systems. The Company rolled out its laser-based projection system at the end of 2014, which is capable of illuminating the largest screens in the Company’s network. The laser-based projection system provides greater brightness and clarity, higher contrast, a wider color gamut and deeper blacks, while consuming less power and lasting longer than existing digital technology, to ensure that the Company continues to provide the highest quality, premier movie going experience available to consumers. In 2018, the Company rolled-out IMAX with Laser, the Company’s next generation laser-based projection system, which is targeted primarily for screens in commercial multiplexes. With most of the laser development completed, the related research and development spending has declined in recent years.

The Company plans to continue research and development activity in the future in other areas considered important to the Company’s continued commercial success, including further improving the reliability of its projectors; enhancing its image quality; expanding the applicability of its digital technology in both theater and home entertainment; developing IMAX theater systems’ capabilities; and improving its proprietary DMR process. Furthermore, due to the increasing success major Hollywood filmmakers have experienced with IMAX cameras, the Company has identified the development and manufacture of additional IMAX cameras as an important research and development project and is working with other parties on this initiative. The Company expects their research and development efforts to center around innovation projects and DMR enhancements in 2020.

As at December 31, 2019, 52 of the Company’s employees were connected with research and development projects, compared to 86 employees as at December 31, 2018.

MANUFACTURING AND SERVICE

Projector Component Manufacturing

The Company assembles the projector of its theater systems at its office 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 2019, these projectors, including both the Company’s xenon and laser-based projection systems, had reliability rates based on scheduled shows of approximately 99.8%.

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 to comprehensive testing as a system.

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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 both xenon and laser-based digital systems, the Company provides pre-emptive maintenance, remote system monitoring and a network operations center 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, China, 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 monoscope (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. The Company has secured the exclusive license rights from The Eastman Kodak Company (“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, 2019, the Company holds 107 patents, has 9 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 for improvements to the IMAX projection system components expire between 2020 and 2038.

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^®, 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 nXos^® and Films To The Fullest™. These trademarks are widely protected by registration or common law throughout the world.

EMPLOYEES

The Company had 673 employees as at December 31, 2019, compared to 660 employees as at December 31, 2018. Both employee counts exclude hourly employees at the Company’s owned and operated theaters and certain other new business initiatives.

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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, and any amendments to such reports, 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 free of charge through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and through the Company’s website at www.imax.com or by calling the Company’s Investor Relations Department at 212-821-0100. No information included on the Company's website shall be deemed included or otherwise incorporated into this 2019 Form 10-K, except where expressly indicated.

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.

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 and gross box office are generated by customers located outside the United States and Canada. Approximately 66%, 66% and 61% of the Company’s revenues were derived outside of the United States and Canada in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. As at December 31, 2019, approximately 73.6% of IMAX theater systems arrangements in backlog are scheduled to be installed in international markets. The Company’s network spanned 81 different countries as at December 31, 2019, and the Company expects its international operations to continue 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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In addition, changes in United States or Canadian foreign policy can present additional risks or uncertainties as the Company continues to expand its international operations. The Company recently entered into an agreement with AMC and the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia for a 12-theater deal. The Company previously announced a partnership with VOX Cinemas to open at least four theaters in Saudi Arabia. Opening and operating theaters in markets that have experienced geopolitical or sociopolitical unrest or controversy, including through partnerships with local entities, exposes the Company to the risks listed above as well as additional risks of operating in a volatile region.  Such risks may negatively impact our business operations in such regions and may also harm our brand. Moreover, a deterioration of the diplomatic relations between the United States or Canada and a given country may impede our ability to operate theaters in such countries and have a negative impact on our financial condition and future growth prospects.

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

At present, Greater China is the Company’s largest market, by revenue. In recent years, the Company’s Greater China operations have accounted for an increasingly significant portion of its overall revenues, with nearly 31% of overall revenues generated from the Company’s China operations in 2019. As at December 31, 2019, the Company had 717 theaters operating in Greater China with an additional 253 theaters in backlog, which represent 47.6% of the Company’s current backlog and which are scheduled to be installed in Greater China by 2023. Of the systems currently scheduled to be installed in Greater China, 71.5% are under joint revenue sharing arrangements, which further increase the Company’s ongoing exposure to box office performance in this market.

The China market faces a number of risks, including changes in laws and regulations, currency fluctuations, increased competition and changes in economic conditions, including the risk of an economic downturn or recession, trade embargoes, restrictions or other barriers, as well as other conditions that may impact the Company’s exhibitor and studio partners, as well as consumer spending. Adverse developments in any of these areas could impact the Company’s future revenues and cash flows 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 continued expansion in China and the business conducted by it within China. For instance, the Chinese government regulates both the number and timing or terms of Hollywood films released to the China market. The Company cannot provide assurance that the Chinese government will continue to permit the release of IMAX films in China or that the timing or number of IMAX releases will be favorable to the Company. 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 could be adversely impacted.

The Company’s results of operations are expected to be adversely impacted by the recent coronavirus outbreak in China.

In early 2020, in response to the public health risks associated with an outbreak of coronavirus in Wuhan, China, Chinese exhibitors temporarily closed more than 70,000 movie theaters, including all of the approximately 700 IMAX theaters in mainland China. The theaters have been closed since late January 2020, including over the Lunar New Year holiday and have not yet reopened as of the date of this report. Chinese movie studios also postponed the release of multiple films, including those originally scheduled to be released over this holiday, five of which were scheduled to be shown in IMAX theaters. The repercussions of this health crisis in China will have a material adverse impact on the revenues generated by IMAX theater systems in the first quarter of 2020 and could impact other areas of the Company’s business in China, including but not limited to the timely installation of theater systems in our backlog in China.  Given the dynamic nature of the circumstances, it is difficult to predict whether the  impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the Company’s financial condition in future reporting periods may also be material as this will depend on future developments, including but not limited to the timing of theaters reopening, if and when delayed films are released, consumer behaviour and any potential construction or installation delays involving our exhibitor partners which are highly uncertain and cannot be accurately forecast.

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 and strategic selection of films for IMAX theaters and the box office performance of such films. The Company itself produces only a small number of such films and, as a result, the Company relies principally on films produced by third party filmmakers and studios, including both Hollywood and local language features converted into the Company’s large format using the Company’s IMAX DMR technology. In 2019, 60 IMAX DMR films were released by studios to the worldwide IMAX theater network. There is no guarantee that filmmakers and studios will continue to release films to the IMAX theater network, or that the films selected for release to the IMAX theater network will be commercially successful. The Company is directly impacted by the box office results for the films released to the IMAX network

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through its joint revenue sharing arrangements as well as through the percentage of the box office receipts the Company receives from the studios releasing IMAX DMR films, and the Company’s continued ability to secure films, 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, consumer preferences and trends in cinema attendance. 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.

In addition, as the Company’s international network has expanded, the Company has signed deals with studios in other countries to convert their films to the Company’s large format and release them to IMAX theaters. The Company may be unable to select films which will be successful in international markets or may be unsuccessful in selecting the right mix of Hollywood and local DMR films for a particular country or region, notably Greater China, the Company’s largest market. Also, conflicts in international release schedules may make it difficult to release every IMAX film in certain markets.

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. The Company can make no assurances that exhibitors will continue to do any of these things.

The Company is unable to predict the pace at which 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 exhibitor customers will continue to do any of the foregoing. If exhibitors choose to reduce their levels of expansion, negotiate less favorable economic terms, or decide not to enter into transactions with the Company, the Company’s revenues would not increase at an anticipated rate and motion picture studios may be less willing to convert their films into the Company’s format for exhibition in commercial IMAX theaters. As a result, the Company’s future revenues and cash flows could be adversely affected.

Recent consolidation among commercial exhibitors and studios reduces the breadth of the Company’s customer base, and could result in a narrower market for the Company’s products and reduced negotiating leverage. A deterioration in the Company’s relationship with key partners could materially, adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operation. In addition, an adverse economic impact on a significant customer’s business operations could have a corresponding material adverse effect on the Company.

The Company’s primary customers are commercial multiplex exhibitors. The commercial exhibition industry has undergone significant consolidation in recent years, with Dalian Wanda’s acquisitions of AMC and Hoyts Group in 2012 and 2015, respectively, and AMC’s acquisition of Carmike Cinemas and Odeon & UCI Cinemas Group, which includes Nordic Cinema Group, in 2016. In recent years, the industry has continued to consolidate, as evidenced by Cineworld Group’s acquisition of Regal Entertainment Group in 2018 and its planned acquisition of Cineplex Inc. announced late in 2019. Exhibitor concentration has resulted in individual exhibitor chains constituting a material portion of the Company’s network and revenue. For instance, Wanda and AMC continue to be the Company’s largest exhibitor customer, representing approximately, 16.5%, 17.1% and 16.4% of the Company’s total revenues in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Wanda’s current commitment to the Company stands at 359 IMAX theater systems, and Wanda and AMC together represented approximately 33.9% of the commercial network and 25.6% of the Company’s backlog as at December 31, 2019. The share of the Company’s revenue that is generated by Wanda and AMC is expected to continue to grow as the number of Wanda theater systems currently in backlog are opened. No assurance can be given that significant customers such as Wanda and/or AMC will continue to purchase theater systems and/or enter into joint revenue sharing arrangements with the Company and if so, whether contractual terms will be affected. If the Company does business with either Wanda and/or AMC or other large exhibitor chains less frequently or on less favorable terms than currently, the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations may be adversely affected. In addition, an adverse economic impact on a significant customer’s business operations could have a corresponding material adverse effect on the Company.

The Company also receives revenues from studios releasing IMAX DMR films. Hollywood studios have also experienced recent consolidation, as evidenced by the Walt Disney Company’s acquisition of certain studio assets from Twenty First Century Fox in 2019. Studio consolidation could result in individual studios comprising a greater percentage of the Company’s film slate and overall DMR revenue, and could expose the Company to the same risks described above in connection with exhibitor consolidation.

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General political, social and economic conditions can affect the Company’s business by reducing both revenue generated from existing IMAX theater systems and the demand for new IMAX theater systems.

The Company’s success depends in part on general political, social and economic conditions and the willingness of consumers to purchase tickets to IMAX movies. If movie-going becomes less popular globally, the Company’s business could be adversely affected, especially if such a decline occurs in Greater China. In addition, the Company’s operations could be adversely affected if consumers' discretionary income falls as a result of an economic downturn. In recent years, the majority of the Company’s revenue has been directly derived from the box office revenues of its films. Accordingly, a 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 visit movie theaters and spend discretionary income at movie theaters. 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, a significant portion of theaters in the Company’s backlog are expected to be installed in newly built multiplexes. An economic downturn could impact developers’ ability to secure financing and complete the buildout of these locations, thereby negatively impacting the Company’s ability to grow its theater network.

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. Even in jurisdictions in which the Company does not accept local currency or requires minimum payments in U.S. dollars, significant local currency issues may impact the profitability of the Company’s arrangements for the Company’s customers, which ultimately affect the Company’s ability to negotiate cost-effective arrangements and, therefore, the Company’s results of operations. In addition, because IMAX films generate box office in 81 different countries, unfavorable exchange rates between applicable local currencies and the U.S. dollar could affect the Company’s reported gross box office and revenues, further impacting the Company’s results of operations.

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 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 advantage. The patent applications may also be challenged by third parties. Several of the Company’s issued patents for improvements to IMAX projection system components expire between 2020 and 2038. 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.

The IMAX brand stands for the highest quality and 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.

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The Company faces cyber-security and similar risks, which could result in the disclosure, theft or loss of confidential or other proprietary information, including intellectual property, damage to the Company’s brand and reputation, legal exposure and financial losses. The Company must also comply with a variety of data privacy regulations and failure to comply with such regulations may affect the Company’s financial performance.

The nature of the Company’s business involves access to and storage of confidential and proprietary content and other information, including its own intellectual property and the intellectual property of certain movie studios or partners it may work with, as well as certain information regarding the Company’s customers, employees, licensees and suppliers. Although the Company maintains robust procedures, internal policies and technological security measures to safeguard such content and information, as well as a cyber-security insurance policy, the Company’s information technology systems could be penetrated by internal or external parties intent on extracting information, corrupting information, stealing intellectual property or trade secrets, or disrupting business processes. Information security risks have increased in recent years because of the proliferation of new technologies and the increased sophistication and activities of perpetrators of cyber-attacks. The Company’s information technology infrastructure may be vulnerable to such attacks, including through the use of malware, software bugs, computer viruses, ransomware, social engineering and denial of service. It is possible that such attacks could compromise the Company’s security measures or the security measures of parties with whom the Company does business, and thereby could result in obtaining the confidential or proprietary information of the Company or its customers, employees, licensees and suppliers. Because the techniques that may be used to circumvent the Company’s safeguards change frequently and may be difficult to detect, the Company may be unable to anticipate any new techniques or implement sufficient preventive security measures. The Company seeks to monitor such attempts and incidents and to prevent their recurrence through modifications to the Company’s internal procedures and information technology infrastructure, but in some cases preventive action might not be successful. Moreover, the development and maintenance of these security measures may be costly and will require ongoing updates as technologies evolve and techniques to overcome the Company’s security measures become more sophisticated. Any such breach or unauthorized access could result in a disruption of the Company’s operations, the theft, unauthorized use or publication of the Company’s intellectual property, other proprietary information or the personal information of customers, employees, licensees or suppliers, a reduction of the revenues the Company is able to generate from its operations, damage to the Company’s brand and reputation, a loss of confidence in the security of the Company’s business and products, and significant legal and financial exposure, each of which could potentially have an adverse effect on the Company’s business.

In addition, a variety of laws and regulations at the international, national and state level govern the Company’s collection, use, protection and processing of personal data. These laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation and the California Consumer Privacy Act, are constantly evolving and may result in increasing regulatory oversight and public scrutiny in the future. The Company’s actual or perceived failure to comply with such regulations could result in fines, investigations, enforcement actions, penalties, sanctions, claims for damages by affected individuals, and damage to the Company’s reputation, among other negative consequences, any of which could have a material adverse effect on its financial performance.

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, 2019, there were approximately 44,000 conventional-sized screens in North American multiplexes. The Company faces competition both in the form of technological advances in in-home entertainment as well as those within the theater-going experience. In recent years, for instance, exhibitors and entertainment technology companies have introduced their own branded, large-screen 3D auditoriums or other proprietary theater systems, and in many cases have marketed those auditoriums or theater systems as having similar quality or attributes as an IMAX theater. The Company may continue to 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.

As noted above, the Company faces in-home competition from a number of alternative motion picture distribution channels such as home video, pay-per-view, streaming services, video-on-demand, Blu-ray Disc, 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.

If the Company is unable to continue to produce a differentiated 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 could materially and adversely harm the Company’s business and prospects.

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

The Company is undertaking new lines of business. These initiatives represent new areas of growth for the Company and could include the offering of new products and services that may not be accepted by the market. The Company has recently explored initiatives in the fields of original content and in-home entertainment technology, both of which are intensively competitive businesses and which are dependent on consumer demand, over which the Company has no control. The Company is also exploring new technologies to connect the IMAX theater network to facilitate bringing more unique content, including broadcasts of live events, to IMAX theater audiences. 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 write-downs of its equity investments, 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, the alliance may require a high level of cooperation with and reliance on the Company’s partners and there is a possibility that the Company may have disagreements with its relevant partner 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.

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 distribution 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.

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, 2019, the Company’s sales backlog included 531 theater systems, consisting of 178 systems under sales or lease arrangements and 353 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 estimated present value of contractual ongoing fees due over the term, and a variable consideration estimate for the theater systems under sales arrangements, but it excludes amounts allocated to maintenance and extended warranty revenues. Notwithstanding the legal obligation to do so, some of the Company’s customers with which it has signed contracts may not accept delivery of theater systems that are included in the Company’s backlog. An economic downturn may further exacerbate the risk of customers not accepting delivery of theater systems, especially in places such as Greater China that represent a large portion of the Company’s backlog. Any reduction in backlog 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.

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

The Company’s operating results and cash flow can fluctuate substantially from period to period. 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:

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 operating results for a particular period, although the results of any particular period are not necessarily indicative of the Company’s results for any other period.

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 to 12 years. The Company’s sale and lease-type agreements typically provide for three major sources of cash flow related to theater systems:

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 any future initial payments, fixed minimum ongoing payments and sales arrangements also include an estimate of future variable consideration 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.

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 fixed minimum ongoing payments are recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Contingent payments in excess of fixed minimum ongoing payments are recognized as revenue when reported by theater operators, provided collectability is reasonably assured.

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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 stock price has historically been volatile and declines in market price, including as a result of 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 New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) 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:

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 may be subject to impairment losses on its film assets if such assets do not meet management’s estimates of total revenues.

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 may be subject to impairment losses on its inventories if they become obsolete.

The Company records write-downs 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.

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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 at least annually and when events or changes in circumstances arise or can be quantitatively tested for impairment. 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 and other postretirement benefits, 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 and Estimates” in Item 7.

Failure to respond adequately or in a timely fashion 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. In recent years, the Company has made significant investments in laser technology as part of the development of its next-generation laser-based digital projection system, which it began rolling out to the largest theaters in the IMAX network at the end of 2014. The Company continued research and development throughout 2018 to support the further development and roll-out of IMAX with Laser projection system, which is targeted primarily for screens in commercial multiplexes. The process of developing new technologies is inherently uncertain and subject to certain factors that are outside of the Company’s control, including reliance on third party partners and suppliers, 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 improve upon existing technology or will be developed within the timeframe expected.  

The Company may not realize cost savings or other benefits from any of its restructuring initiatives and the failure to do so may have an adverse impact on its business, financial condition or results of operations.

In connection with the ongoing analysis and evaluation of its business operations, the Company has implemented, and may from time to time implement, initiatives that it believes will position the Company for future success and long-term sustainable growth, including the elimination of certain business ventures, consolidation of properties, staff reductions and the realignment of resources. Although the Company expects its restructuring initiatives to result in cost savings aimed at increasing efficiency, profitability, operating leverage and free cash flow, there can be no assurances that these benefits will be realized to the full extent projected. Some of these initiatives may also result in unintended consequences, such as additional employee attrition, business disruptions and distraction of management. If the Company does not achieve projected savings as a result of these initiatives or incurs higher than expected or unanticipated costs in implementing these initiatives, its business, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely impacted.

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.

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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 solely 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 Playa Vista, California. The Company’s principal facilities are as follows:

The Company believes that its existing facilities and equipment are in good operating condition and are suitable for the conduct of its business.

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings

See note 15 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this 2019 Form 10-K.

Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

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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 New York Stock Exchange.

As at January 31, 2020, the Company had approximately 221 registered holders of record of the Company’s common shares.

Over the last two years, the Company has not paid, nor does the Company have any 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 13 to the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements in Item 8 and “Liquidity and Capital Resources” in Item 7 of this 2019 Form 10-K). 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.

In 2020, the Company expanded its stock-based compensation program to includes the issuance of performance share units (“PSUs”).  Performance share units vest only if certain profitability and market targets are achieved.  The amount of compensation expense recognized for such performance-based share awards is dependent upon an assessment of the likelihood of achieving these defined future profitability or market targets.  These assessments could result in a change to the number of PSUs that will ultimately vest as compared to the units granted.

Equity Compensation Plans

The following table sets forth information regarding the Company’s Equity Compensation Plan as at December 31, 2019:

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Performance Graph

The following graph compares the total cumulative shareholder return for $100 invested on December 31, 2014 (assuming 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 IMAX Peer Group to the end of the most recently completed fiscal year. The IMAX Peer Group consists of Ambarella, Inc., Avid Technologies, Inc., Cinemark Holdings, Inc., Cineplex Inc., Dolby Laboratories, Inc., Glu Mobile Inc., Harmonic Inc., Lions Gate Entertainment Corp., The Marcus Corporation, TiVo Corporation, World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., and Zynga Inc.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

In 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a new $200.0 million share repurchase program for shares of the Company’s common stock. The share repurchase program expires on June 30, 2020. The repurchases may be made either in the open market or through private transactions, subject to market conditions, applicable legal requirements and other relevant factors. The Company has no obligation to repurchase shares and the share repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued by the Company at any time. In 2019, the Company repurchased 134,384 common shares at an average price of $19.76 per share, excluding commissions. As at December 31, 2019, the Company has $125.9 million available under its approved repurchase program.

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The Company’s common stock repurchase program activity for the three months ended December 31, 2019 was as follows:

In 2018, IMAX China announced that its shareholders granted its Board of Directors a general mandate authorizing the Board, subject to applicable laws, to buy back shares of IMAX China in an amount not to exceed 10% of the total number of issued shares of IMAX China as at May 3, 2018 (35,818,112 shares). The share repurchase program expired on June 6, 2019.  In 2019, IMAX China announced that its shareholders granted its Board of Directors a general mandate authorizing the Board, subject to applicable laws, to repurchase shares of IMAX China in an amount not to exceed 10% of the total number of issued shares of IMAX China as at June 6, 2019 (35,605,560 shares). The share repurchase program expires on the date of the 2020 annual general meeting of IMAX China. The repurchases may be made in the open market or through other means permitted by applicable laws. IMAX China has no obligation to repurchase its shares and the share repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued by IMAX China at any time. In 2019, IMAX China repurchased 8,051,500 common shares at an average price of HKD $18.63 per share (U.S. $2.38).

The total number of shares purchased during the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, under both the Company and IMAX China’s repurchase plans, does not include any shares received in the administration of employee share-based compensation plans.

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 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 or a foreign corporation the stock of which is regularly tradable on an established securities market in the United States. The amount of a distribution that exceeds the current and accumulated 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 of 1986, as amended, 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 or other disposition and such holder’s tax basis in the common shares. Gain or loss upon the sale or other disposition of the common shares will be long-term if, at the time of the sale or other 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.

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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 policies 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 policy or assessing 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.

Dividends on Common Shares

Canadian withholding tax at a rate of 25.0% (subject to reduction under the provisions of any applicable tax treaty) will be payable on dividends (or amounts paid or credited on account or in lieu of payment of, or in satisfaction of, dividends) paid or credited to a holder of common shares. 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 NYSE) unless at any time within the 60 month period immediately preceding such time (a) any combination of (i) such holder, (ii) persons with whom such holder did not deal at arm’s length or (iii) a partnership in which such holder or any such persons holds a membership interest either directly or indirectly through one or more partnerships, 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.

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Item 6.  Selected Financial Data

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

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Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

OVERVIEW  

IMAX Corporation, together with its consolidated subsidiaries (the “Company”), is one of the world’s leading entertainment technology companies, specializing in technological innovations powering the presentation of some of today’s most immersive entertainment experiences. Through its proprietary software, theater architecture, patented intellectual property and specialized equipment, IMAX offers a unique end-to-end cinematic solution to create the highest quality, most immersive motion picture and other event experiences for which the IMAX^® brand has become known globally. Top filmmakers and studios utilize the cutting-edge visual and sound technology of IMAX to connect with audiences in innovative ways, and, as a result, IMAX’s network is among the most important and successful distribution platforms for major films and other events around the world. The Company refers to all theaters using the IMAX theater system as “IMAX theaters”. There were 1,624 IMAX theater systems (1,529 commercial multiplexes, 14 commercial destinations, 81 institutional) operating in 81 countries and territories as at December 31, 2019. This compares to 1,505 theater systems (1,409 commercial multiplexes, 14 commercial destinations, 82 institutional) operating in 80 countries and territories as at December 31, 2018.

The Company leverages its innovative technology and engineering in all aspects of its core business, which consists of:

IMAX theater systems are based on proprietary and patented image, audio and other technology developed over the course of the Company’s 52-year history and combine:

In addition, some IMAX movies are filmed using proprietary IMAX film and IMAX certified digital cameras, which offer filmmakers customized guidance and workflow process to provide further enhanced and differentiated image quality and a film aspect ratio that delivers up to 26% more image onto a movie screen.

Together these components cause 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.

As a result of the engineering and scientific achievements that are a hallmark of The IMAX Experience^®, the Company’s exhibitor customers typically charge a premium for IMAX DMR films over films exhibited in their other auditoriums. The premium pricing, combined with the higher attendance levels associated with IMAX DMR films, generates incremental box office for the Company’s exhibitor customers and for the movie studios releasing their films to the IMAX theater network. The incremental box office generated by IMAX DMR films has helped establish IMAX as a key premium distribution and marketing platform for Hollywood blockbuster films.

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As one of the world’s leaders in entertainment technology, the Company strives to remain at the forefront of advancements in cinema technology. The Company recently introduced IMAX with Laser, the Company’s next-generation laser projection system designed for IMAX theaters in commercial multiplexes, which represents a further evolution of IMAX’s proprietary technology. The Company believes that IMAX with Laser delivers increased resolution, sharper and brighter images, deeper contrast as well as the widest range of colors available to filmmakers today. The Company further believes that IMAX with Laser can help facilitate the next major lease renewal and upgrade cycle for the global commercial IMAX network.

To date the Company has signed IMAX with Laser agreements with leading, global exhibitors such as AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (“AMC”), Cineworld Group PLC (“Cineworld”), CGV Holdings Limited (“CGV”) and Les Cinémas Pathé Gaumont (“Pathé”) (among others) for a total of 139 new theaters, 147 upgrades to existing IMAX theaters, and 52 upgrades to existing backlog arrangements. As at December 31, 2019, the Company’s backlog had 144 new IMAX with Laser systems and 92 upgrades to IMAX with Laser systems and has installed 130 IMAX with Laser systems.

The Company is also experimenting with new technologies and new content as a way to deepen consumer engagement and brand loyalty, which includes curating unique, differentiated alternative content to be exhibited in IMAX theaters, particularly during those periods when Hollywood blockbuster film content is not available.  In 2019, the Company has piloted filmed events including Anima, a one-night only event in June featuring music from Radiohead’s Thom Yorke, and Soundgarden: Live from the Artist’s Den: The IMAX Experience, in July and August, in select IMAX theaters. During the fourth quarter of 2019, IMAX released the Kanye West film Jesus is King: The IMAX Experience in select IMAX theaters.

SOURCES OF REVENUE

The primary revenue sources for the Company can be categorized into four main groups: network business, theater business, new business and other.

The network business includes variable revenues that are primarily derived from film studios and exhibitors. Under the Company’s DMR arrangements, the Company provides DMR services to studios in exchange for a percentage of contingent box office receipts. Under joint revenue sharing arrangements, the Company provides IMAX theater systems to exhibitors and also receives a percentage of contingent box office receipts.

The theater business includes revenues that are primarily derived from theater exhibitors through either a sale or sales-type lease arrangement for IMAX theater systems. Sales and sales-type lease arrangements typically require fixed upfront and annual minimum payments. The theater business side also includes fixed revenues that are required under the Company’s hybrid theater systems from the joint revenue sharing arrangements segment. The arrangements for the sale of projection systems include indexed minimum payment increases over the term of the arrangement, as well as provision for additional payments in excess of the minimum agreed payments in situations where the theater exceeds certain box office thresholds. In addition, theater exhibitors also pay for associated maintenance, extended warranty services and the provision of aftermarket parts of its system components, and these revenues are included in the theater business.

New business includes revenue from content licensing and distribution fees associated with the Company’s original content investments, virtual reality initiatives, IMAX Home Entertainment and other business initiatives that are in the development and/or start-up phase.

The Company is currently exploring new technologies and forms of content as a way to deepen consumer engagement and brand loyalty. As such, the Company is currently engaged in discussions regarding new technologies to further connect the IMAX theater network and to facilitate bringing more unique content, including live events, to IMAX theater audiences. The Company believes such additional connectivity can provide more innovative content to the IMAX theater network and in turn permit the Company to engage audiences in new ways.

The Company also derives a small portion of other revenues from the film studios for provision of film production services, operation of its owned and operated theaters and camera rentals.

The Company believes that separating the fixed price revenues from the variable sources of revenue, as well as isolating its non-core new business initiatives, provides greater transparency into the Company's performance.

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Network Business: Digital Re-Mastering (IMAX DMR) and Joint Revenue Sharing Arrangements

Digital Re-Mastering (IMAX DMR)

The Company has developed a proprietary technology, known as IMAX DMR, to digitally re-master Hollywood films into IMAX digital cinema package format or 15/70-format film for exhibition in IMAX theaters. 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. The original soundtrack of a film to be exhibited in the IMAX theater network is re-mastered for the IMAX digital sound systems in connection with the IMAX DMR release. 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 an optimal listening position. In a typical IMAX DMR film arrangement, the Company receives a percentage, which in recent years has averaged approximately 12.5%, of net box office receipts, defined as gross box office receipts less applicable sales taxes, of any commercial films released outside of Greater China in return for converting them to the IMAX DMR format and distributing them through the IMAX theater network. Within Greater China, the Company receives a lower percentage of box office receipts for certain Hollywood films.

IMAX films also benefit from enhancements made by individual filmmakers exclusively for the IMAX release, and filmmakers and studios have sought IMAX-specific enhancements in recent years to generate interest in and excitement for their films. Such enhancements include shooting films with IMAX cameras to increase the audience’s immersion in the film and taking advantage of the unique dimensions of the IMAX screen by projecting the film in a larger aspect ratio that delivers up to 26% more image onto a movie screen. Avengers: Endgame, the highest-grossing film in history, released in April 2019, was shot entirely using IMAX cameras. Collectively, the Company refers to those enhancements as “IMAX DNA”. In addition, in 2019 Alita: Battle Angel, Captain Marvel and Disney’s The Lion King were all released with select scenes specifically formatted for IMAX screens.

The Company believes that the growth in international box office remains an important driver of future growth for the Company. During the year ended December 31, 2019, 67.2%of the Company’s gross box office from IMAX DMR films was generated in international markets, as compared to 65.0% in the year ended December 31, 2018. To support continued growth in international markets, the Company has sought to bolster its international film strategy, supplementing the Company’s film slate of Hollywood DMR titles with appealing local IMAX DMR releases in select markets (particularly in China). During 2019, 18 local language IMAX DMR films including 14 in China and one in each of Japan, South Korea, India and Russia, were released to the IMAX theater network. The blockbuster Ne Zha: the IMAX experience was released in China in July 2019 and it is the Company’s first Chinese animated local language film title. The Company expects to announce additional local language IMAX DMR films to be released to the IMAX theater network in 2020 and beyond. In March 2019, the Company released an IMAX original production, Superpower Dogs.

To date, the Company has announced the following 22 DMR titles to be released in 2020 to the IMAX theater network. The following dates noted for film release are subject to change and may vary by territory.

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In addition, the Company will be releasing an IMAX original production, Asteroid Hunters, in April 2020.

The Company remains in active negotiations with all of the major Hollywood studios for additional films to fill out its short and long-term film slate for the IMAX theater network in 2020.  

As noted above, the Company is also engaged in discussions regarding new technologies and new content in connection with bringing unique events outside of movies to the global IMAX theater network.

Joint Revenue Sharing Arrangements – Contingent Rent

The Company provides IMAX theater systems to certain of its exhibitor customers under joint revenue sharing arrangements (“JRSA”). The Company has two basic types of joint revenue sharing arrangements: traditional and hybrid.

Under a traditional joint revenue sharing arrangement, the Company provides an IMAX theater system to a customer in return for a portion of the customer’s IMAX box office receipts and, in some cases, concession revenues, rather than requiring the customer to pay a fixed upfront payment or annual minimum payments, as would be required under a sales or sales-type lease arrangement (which is discussed below under “Theater Business”). Payments, which are based on box office receipts, are required throughout the term of the arrangement and are due either monthly or quarterly. Certain maintenance and extended warranty services are provided to the customer for a separate fixed annual fee. The Company retains title to the theater system equipment components, and the equipment is returned to the Company at the conclusion of the arrangement.

Under a hybrid joint revenue sharing arrangement, by contrast, the customer is responsible for making upfront payments prior to the delivery and installation of the IMAX theater system in an amount that is typically half of what the Company would receive from a straight sale transaction. As with a traditional joint revenue sharing arrangement, the customer also pays the Company a portion of the customer’s IMAX box office receipts over the term of the arrangement, although the percentage of box office receipts owing to the Company is typically half that of a traditional joint revenue sharing arrangement.

Hybrid joint revenue sharing arrangements that take the form of leases report their fixed revenues in the Company’s theater business operations, while the contingent box office receipts are included in the Company’s network business operations in the period they are earned.  Hybrid joint revenue sharing arrangements that take the form of sales arrangements, which occur when title is transferred to the customer at transfer of control of the system, record their fixed revenues and an estimate of the ongoing contingent box office revenue in the Company’s theater business operations at the point of revenue recognition. Adjustments to the estimated contingent rent flow through theater business operations as they occur over the life of the contracts.

Under the majority of joint revenue sharing arrangements (both traditional and hybrid), the initial non-cancellable term of IMAX theater systems is 10 years or longer, and is renewable by the customer for one to two additional terms of between three to five years. The Company has the right to remove the equipment for non-payment or other defaults by the customer. The contracts are non-cancellable by the customer unless the Company fails to perform its obligations.

The introduction of joint revenue sharing arrangements has been an important factor in the expansion of the Company’s commercial theater network. Joint revenue sharing arrangements allow commercial theater exhibitors to install IMAX theater systems without the significant initial capital investment required in a sale or sales-type lease arrangement. Joint revenue sharing arrangements drive recurring cash flows and earnings for the Company, as customers under joint revenue sharing arrangements pay the Company a portion of their ongoing box office. The Company funds its joint revenue sharing arrangements through cash flows from operations. As at December 31, 2019, the Company had 870 theaters in operation under joint revenue sharing arrangements, a 9.0% increase as compared to the 798 theaters in operations under joint revenue sharing arrangements as at December 31, 2018. The Company also had contracts in backlog for 353 theaters under joint revenue sharing arrangements as at December 31, 2019, including 87 upgrades to existing theater locations and 266 new theater locations.

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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 these theater systems, the nature of the arrangement, the location, size and management of the theater and other factors specific to individual arrangements.

IMAX Systems – Contingent Rent

Certain sales-type lease arrangements include contingent rent in excess of fixed minimum ongoing payments. This contingent rent, which is included in the Company’s network business operations, is recognized after the fixed minimum amount per annum is exceeded as driven by box office performance. Contingent payments in excess of fixed minimum ongoing payments of sales or sales-type lease arrangements are recognized as revenue when reported by theater operators, provided collectability is reasonably assured. In addition, contingent rent includes amounts realized for changes in rent and maintenance payments which are indexed to a local consumer price index.

Theater Business: IMAX Systems, Theater System Maintenance and Fixed Fees from Joint Revenue Sharing Arrangements

IMAX Systems

The Company also provides IMAX theater systems to customers on a sales or long-term lease (sales-type lease) basis, typically with an initial 10-year term. These agreements typically require the payment of initial fees and ongoing fees (which can include a fixed minimum amount per annum and contingent fees in excess of the minimum payments), as well as maintenance and extended warranty fees. The initial fees vary depending on the system configuration and location of the theater. Initial fees are paid to the Company in installments between the time of system signing and the time of system installation, which is when the total of these fees, in addition to the present value of future annual minimum payments, are recognized as revenue. Ongoing fees are paid over the term of the contract, commencing after the theater system has been installed, and is a fixed minimum amount per annum. Finance income is derived over the term of a financed sale or sales-type lease arrangement as the unearned income on that financed sale or sales-type lease is earned. Certain maintenance and extended warranty services are provided to the customer for a separate fixed annual fee.

Sales of IMAX theater systems, which include the proprietary IMAX technology embedded in its projectors, patented software, specialized equipment and automated theater control systems, represent another segment of the Company’s business. Under the Company’s sales agreements, title to the theater system equipment components passes to 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. Under the terms of a sales-type lease agreement, title to the theater system equipment components remains with the Company. The Company has the right to remove the equipment for non-payment or other defaults by the customer.

The revenue earned from customers under the Company’s theater system sales or lease agreements varies from quarter to quarter and year to year based on a number of factors, including the number and 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.

Under hybrid joint revenue sharing arrangements that take the form of sales arrangements, title and control of the projection system transfer to the customer at the point of revenue recognition, which is the earlier of client acceptance of the theater installation, including projectionist training, and theater opening to the public. Under the new revenue recognition standard, the percentage payment is considered variable consideration that must be estimated and recognized at the time of initial revenue recognition. Using box office projections and the Company’s history with theater and box office experience in different territories, the Company estimates the amount of percentage payment earned over the life of the arrangement, subject to sufficient constraint such that there is not a risk of significant revenue reversal. Under the previous recognition standard, these amounts were recognized as reported by exhibitors (or customers) in future periods. As a result, the Company’s hybrid sales arrangements are grouped with the traditional sales segment since the total consideration received and the revenue recognition timing at transfer of control of the assets now resemble those of the traditional sale arrangements.

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Joint Revenue Sharing Arrangements – Fixed Fees

As discussed in joint revenue sharing arrangements above, under a hybrid joint revenue sharing arrangement that takes the form of a lease arrangement, the customer is responsible for making upfront payments prior to the delivery and installation of the IMAX theater system for an amount that is typically half of what the Company would receive from a straight sale transaction. These fixed upfront payments are included in the Company’s theater business operations.

Theater System Maintenance

For all IMAX theaters, theater owners or operators are also responsible for paying the Company an annual maintenance and extended warranty fee. Under these arrangements, the Company provides proactive and emergency maintenance services to every theater in its network to ensure that each presentation is up to the highest IMAX quality standard. Annual maintenance fees are paid throughout the duration of the term of the theater agreements.

Other Theater Revenues

Additionally, the Company generates revenues from the sale of after-market parts and 3D glasses.

Revenues from theater business arrangements are recognized at a different time from when cash is collected. See note 2 in Item 8 of this 2019 Form 10-K for further discussion on the Company’s revenue recognition policies.

New Business

In recent years, the Company has been exploring several new lines of business and new initiatives outside of its core business to leverage its proprietary, innovative technologies, its leadership position in the entertainment technology space and its unique relationship with content creators. 

IMAX Enhanced

In September 2018, the Company announced a new home entertainment licensing and certification program called IMAX Enhanced. This initiative was launched along with audio leader DTS (an Xperi subsidiary), capitalizing on the companies’ decades of combined expertise in image and sound science. The certification program combines high-end consumer electronics products with IMAX digitally re-mastered 4K high dynamic range (HDR) content and DTS audio technologies to offer consumers immersive sight and sound experiences for the home.

To be accepted into the program, leading consumer electronics manufacturers must design 4K HDR televisions, A/V receivers, sound systems and other home theater equipment to meet a carefully prescribed set of audio and video performance standards, set by a certification committee of IMAX and DTS engineers and some of Hollywood’s leading technical specialists.

The program will digitally re-master content to produce more vibrant colors, greater contrast and sharper clarity, and will also deliver an IMAX signature sound experience.

IMAX Enhanced Program device partners include Sony Electronics, Denon, Marantz, Pioneer, TCL (among others) and studio partners include Sony Pictures and Paramount Pictures.

Connected Theaters

The Company is currently exploring new technologies and forms of content as a way to deepen consumer engagement and brand loyalty. As such, the Company is currently engaged in discussions regarding new technologies to further connect the IMAX theater network and to facilitate bringing more unique content, including live events, to IMAX theater audiences. The Company believes such additional connectivity can provide more innovative content to the IMAX theater network and in turn permit the Company to engage audiences in new ways.

The Company continues to believe that the IMAX network serves as a valuable platform to launch and distribute original content, especially during shoulder periods.

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Other

The Company is also a distributor of large-format films, primarily for its institutional theater partners. The Company generally distributes films which it produces or for which it has acquired distribution rights from independent producers. The Company receives either a percentage of the theater box office receipts or a fixed amount as a distribution fee.

In addition, the Company also provides film post-production and quality control services for large-format films (whether produced internally or externally), and digital post-production services. The Company derives a small portion of its revenues from other sources including: one owned and operated IMAX theater; a commercial arrangement with one theater resulting in the sharing of profits and losses; the provision of management services to four other theaters; renting its proprietary 2D and 3D large-format film and digital cameras to third-party production companies; and also offering production advice and technical assistance to both documentary and Hollywood filmmakers. In January 2019, the Company closed its owned and operated theater in Minneapolis, Minnesota to better focus on other parts of its business. The Company now has one remaining owned and operated theater in Sacramento, California.

IMAX Theater Network and Backlog

IMAX Theater Network

The following table outlines the breakdown of the IMAX theater network by type and geographic location as at December 31:

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The Company currently believes that over time its commercial multiplex theater network could grow to approximately 3,318 IMAX theaters worldwide from 1,529 commercial multiplex IMAX theaters operating as at December 31, 2019. The Company believes that the majority of its future growth will come from international markets. As at December 31, 2019, 71.9% of IMAX theater systems in operation were located within international markets (defined as all countries other than the United States and Canada), up from 70.1% as at December 31, 2018. Revenues and gross box office derived from outside the United States and Canada continue to exceed revenues and gross box office from the United States and Canada. Risks associated with the Company’s international business are outlined in “Risk Factors – The Company conducts business internationally, which exposes it to uncertainties and risks that could negatively affect its operations, sales and future growth prospects” in Item 1A of Part I of this 2019 Form 10-K.

Greater China is currently the Company’s largest market, measured by revenues, with approximately 31% of overall revenues generated from the Company’s China operations in 2019. As at December 31, 2019, the Company had 717 theaters operating in Greater China with an additional 253 theaters in backlog that are scheduled to be installed by 2023. The Company’s backlog in Greater China represents 47.6% of the Company’s current backlog including upgrades. The Company’s largest single international partnership is in China with Wanda Film (“Wanda”). Wanda’s total, commitment to the Company is for 359 theater systems in Greater China (of which 345 theater systems are under the parties’ joint revenue sharing arrangement). See “Risk Factors – The Company faces risks in connection with the continued expansion of its business in China” and “Risk Factors – General political, social and economic conditions can affect the Company’s business by reducing both revenue generated from existing IMAX theater systems and the demand for new IMAX theater systems” in Item 1A of Part I of this 2019 Form 10-K.

The following table outlines the breakdown of the Commercial Multiplex theater network by arrangement type and geographic location as at December 31:

As at December 31, 2019, 277 (2018 ― 273) of the 731 (2018 ― 674) theaters under traditional joint revenue sharing arrangements in operation, or 37.9% (2018 ― 40.5%) were located in the United States and Canada, with the remaining 454 (2018 ― 401) or 62.1% (2018 ― 59.5%) of arrangements being located in international markets.

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Sales Backlog

The Company’s current sales backlog is as follows: