Corporate Social Responsibility

Big Picture

IMAX’s Corporate Social Responsibility extends to our mission of connecting audiences around the world to our ongoing efforts to strengthen the communities we share, locally and globally.

We focus on three key pillars to support this objective: Inspiring and empowering the next generation of filmmakers, creating opportunities for underserved communities, and the preservation and enhancement of our planet for future generations.

Through these three key pillars, we look to leverage our unique ability to do good in the communities we live and work in and create a positive effect worldwide.

 

Creating Opportunities for Underserved Communities

As an organization with deep roots in the communities we operate in, IMAX is committed to ensuring we find ways to give back to these communities. To do this, we look beyond the surface level to find underserved groups that can benefit from our support the most. We aim to partner with on-the-ground community organizations who are dedicated to creating a positive impact on marginalized, underserved, or otherwise disadvantaged communities. Here are some of the programs we’ve recently supported:

 

The Boys and Girls Club of America

One of the key elements of our CSR strategy is to use film to ignite and inspire younger generations of filmmakers and moviegoers and find ways to provide unique experiences to further their interest in filmmaking. In support of this goal, IMAX was proud to present exclusive screenings of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”, in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of America and other local organizations, to underserved youth in select cities across the US. IMAX theatres in New York, Los Angeles, Austin and Denver hosted screenings which brought together children and industry veterans alike to enjoy the magic of film.

 

Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP)

The Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP) is a non-profit organization founded by actress Charlize Theron in 2007. The organization works to prevent HIV/AIDS in her home country of South Africa, particularly among young people. CTAOP supports a variety of programs and initiatives that promote health and well-being, such as education and support for those living with HIV, as well as efforts to prevent the spread of the disease. IMAX is proud to be a long-time partner of the organization, which has ties across the entertainment world.

 

Ronald McDonald House of the Greater Hudson Valley

The Ronald McDonald House of the Greater Hudson Valley is a New York-based non-profit committed to keeping families with sick or injured children close to each other and to the care and resources they need. IMAX is proud to be a long-time contributor to this organization, which is located a short drive from our office in New York City. In addition, IMAX has been a contributor to the Ronal McDonald House Heroes event, which raises funds in support of Ronald McDonald House Charities.

 

Project Legacy Foundation

IMAX is proud to support the Project Legacy Foundation, a non-profit organization that focuses on providing support and resources to disadvantaged individuals and communities. By supporting the Project Legacy Foundation, we hope to make a positive impact on the world and contribute to the organization's efforts to create a better future for all.

 

Justice & Care

Justice and Care is an organization dedicated to fighting human trafficking and modern-day slavery. Human trafficking and modern-day slavery are global issues that affect millions of people around the world. These crimes violate the basic human rights of individuals and often result in physical and psychological harm. Justice and Care is working to end these atrocities and protect the rights of victims.

 

Inspiring and Empowering the Next Generation of Filmmakers

Our legacy in the film and entertainment world stretches all the way back to 1967 with the invention of the IMAX format and camera. Through powerful storytelling, awe inspiring visuals, and game-changing technology, we’ve provided the format and agency to filmmakers to realize their creative visions, and it’s never been more important than now to ensure access to opportunities for the filmmakers of the future. We look to champion programs and partnerships that inspire, empower, celebrate and provide opportunities to future leaders in the film industry. Here are some of the programs we’ve recently supported:

 

University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts

IMAX and the USC School of Cinematic Arts (SCA) have a longstanding relationship focused on empowering the next generation of filmmakers. This was formalized in 2014 with the opening of the IMAX Theatre and Immersive Lab at the Robert Zemeckis Center for Digital Arts on the USC campus. Since then, IMAX has regularly invited USC film students to visit our Playa Vista facilities to learn about immersive storytelling, the IMAX medium, and advanced filmmaking techniques. IMAX has also provided opportunities for USC students to engage with top filmmakers through special screenings and Q&A sessions. Most recently, we hosted a screening for USC film students and welcomed Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige for a special pre-screening Q&A about “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”, which was moderated by a SCA student.

           

 

International Union of Cinemas (UNIC) Women’s Cinema Leadership Programme

The UNIC Women’s Cinema Leadership Programme is a 12-month cross-sector, pan-European mentorship program that connects women in cinema exhibition. The programme is rooted in the belief that gender-balanced leadership in cinema exhibition is imperative for business success, better governance and more equity in the industry. Since its inception in 2017, IMAX has participated by sending mentees to the program, and for the first time has provided sponsorship for the program in 2022 in partnership with fellow entertainment technology company Vista Group. Our joint sponsorship will help advance the long-term objective of broadening and deepening the talent pool for leadership across the sector, achieving a more diverse and inclusive cinema industry.

 

“Shine” Filmmaking Group

The Shine Global is a non-profit media company that gives voice to children and their families by telling stories of their resilience to raise awareness, promote action, and inspire change through film. In 2022, Shine Global hosted their first-ever Children's Resilience in Film Awards, of which IMAX was a sponsor. These awards honor powerful films and preeminent filmmakers who highlight and celebrate the inspiring strength, creativity, and power of children across the world in the face of the pandemic and ongoing humanitarian crises.

 

Preserving and Enhancing Our Planet

As a company, we trace our beginnings back to some of the earliest films produced for the IMAX format, films like “North of Superior” and “Transitions”, which brought the stark wilderness alive as a character in the story being told. Since these early days, IMAX has had a strong affinity for showcasing the great natural beauty of the world through innovative filmmaking and technology. As a result, we’ve also looked for ways to ensure Earth’s greatest treasure, its environment, can be preserved and enhanced for future generations to enjoy. Here are some of the programs we’ve recently supported:

 

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)

NRDC logo

The National Resource Defense Council (NRDC) is a US-based environmental non-profit, focused on international environmental advocacy. The NRDC combines its large membership base with the expertise provided by scientists, lawyers and policy advocates to safeguard the earth—its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. IMAX is proud to provide financial sponsorship to the NRDC to advance this goal.

 

In addition, we’re also proud to support...

 

Veterans Week NYC

Veterans Advantage Logo

Since 1919, the US has commemorated Veterans Day on November 11th, the anniversary of the armistice agreement that ended the First World War. In partnership with Veterans Advantage, a New York-based veterans support service, IMAX has provided direct sponsorship of Veterans Week NYC for over 5 years. This sponsorship has included private screenings, and recently changed to reimbursement for IMAX theatres to allow participants with more flexibility in viewership options. IMAX is proud to support participants of Veterans Week NYC, and honor those who have so faithfully served our country.

 

National September 11 Memorial & Museum

9/11 Memorial Logo

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum honors the lives lost in the tragic attacks on September 11, 2001 and continues to provide a space for mourning and reflection. We are proud to support the important work of the Memorial & Museum and its mission to educate future generations about the impact of the 9/11 attacks to ensure that the events of that day are never forgotten.

 

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation

We are proud to support the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, which honors and preserves the history of rock and roll music though its museum in Cleveland, Ohio, and the multitude of awards and archival work done by the foundation. By supporting this important organization, we hope to ensure that the music and legends of this genre are never forgotten.

 

National Committee on US-China Relations

At IMAX, we strive to use our platform and resources to support organizations that are working to make a positive impact on the world. That is why we are proud to partner with the National Committee on US-China Relations, a non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening ties and promoting mutual understanding and cooperation between the United States and China. Over the years, the organization has worked to build bridges and foster dialogue between American and Chinese leaders and communities. We believe that strong and positive relations between the United States and China are essential for promoting peace, stability, and prosperity around the world.

 

Movember Foundation

The Movember Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to men's health, with the specific mission of raising awareness and funds for prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention. Through its fundraising efforts and awareness campaigns, the foundation is working to ensure that men have access to the resources and support they need to live healthy, happy lives. We are proud to support the foundation’s efforts to change the face of men's health and improve the lives of men everywhere through our own employee-led fundraising efforts.

 

SickKids Hospital Foundation

IMAX employees from the Sheridan Park office participated in the Heatwave for SickKids Corporate Team Challenge in Toronto in support of SickKids’ planned expansion and renovation of its facilities. The team took part in the beach volleyball tournament, fielding 15 people split into two co-ed teams to help raise money in support of the foundation.

 

Canadian Picture Pioneers

Canadian Picture Pioneers is a non-profit set up to assist members of Canada’s movie theatre, exhibitor and distributor industry. The organization is dedicated to the support and well-being of members of the motion picture industry, and has been providing financial assistance and educational support to its members since being founded in Canada in 1940. IMAX is proud to support the organization through programming sponsorships.

 

Past Partnerships

 

Big Picture

At IMAX, we believe that there are no limits to where filmmaking, storytelling and immersive experiences can take us. In our stories, we find examples of those inspired to envision a better tomorrow and the aspiration to use film to change the world. Based on this, IMAX saw an opportunity to be a voice for business in creating understanding and action for a more sustainable planet, and we pledged our support of the United Nation’s Global Goals, which seek to eradicate extreme poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030.

 

 

UNEP Global Goals
 

To guide this goal, we created our IMAX Big Picture program in 2016 - using the power of film to affect our impact on the future of our planet. Our partners included The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and All American High School Film Festival. The program had two key focus areas:

Educate (In Feature) - An ongoing series of educational screenings that showcased some of IMAX’s sustainability-related films to a global audience.

Engage (In Focus) – A young filmmaker’s program which cultivated young filmmakers by providing educational opportunities and unique experiences to further their interest in filmmaking and pursuing a career in the entertainment industry. Learn more about In Focus here