TORONTO, Oct. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - IMAX Corporation (Nasdaq: IMAX; TSX: IMX) today announced the appointment of Julian Stanford to General Manager, Theatre Development - Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Based in London, Mr. Stanford will be responsible for accelerating IMAX's growth throughout EMEA and increasing IMAX's presence as the premiere venue to experience Hollywood's biggest films.

There are currently 55 IMAX(R) theatres open in EMEA, and 15 additional IMAX theatres are scheduled to be open in the region by the end of 2011. Mr. Stanford will report directly to Larry O'Reilly, Executive Vice President, Theatre Development.

Mr. Stanford joins IMAX from Aristocrat Technologies, a global video gaming company. Previously, Mr. Stanford was the head of sales (EMEA) for United International Pictures (UIP), where he oversaw film distribution and sales for Paramount, Universal and DreamWorks films. Prior to his work with UIP, Stanford was a Managing Director for MGM Home Entertainment, EMEA where he was responsible for consumer brand marketing, portfolio planning and retailing for MGM's EMEA video, DVD and games businesses.

He will draw on his extensive background and experience working in the international entertainment and film industries to generate new business opportunities for IMAX and IMAX's studio partners and grow the IMAX EMEA theatre network into a more significant distribution channel for Hollywood event films.

Mr. Stanford will focus on driving sales of the IMAX digital projection system, which delivers The IMAX Experience(R) and helps drive profitability for studios, exhibitors and IMAX theatres by eliminating the need for film prints, increasing program flexibility and ultimately increasing the number of movies shown on IMAX screens.

"Julian's experience and understanding of the industry and market make him an ideal choice to take on this critical role at IMAX, especially when the IMAX film slate includes some of the most impressive titles in Hollywood," said Larry O' Reilly, IMAX's Executive Vice President of Theatre Development. "His personal relationships and knowledge of the industry and the nuances of conducting business throughout EMEA will be extremely helpful as well."

"Given his background with film distribution strategy and on-the-ground experience, Julian will be a valuable addition to the IMAX team and we are delighted to be attracting such top talent into our organization," said IMAX Co-CEOs and Co-Chairmen Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler. "The European market holds much growth potential as IMAX rolls out IMAX digital and seeks more joint venture relationships with exhibitors, and Julian's expertise will be an important boost to our efforts in EMEA."

About IMAX Corporation

IMAX Corporation is one of the world's leading entertainment technology companies, specializing in immersive motion picture technologies. The worldwide IMAX network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event Hollywood films around the globe, with IMAX theatres delivering the world's best movie presentations using proprietary IMAX, IMAX(R) 3D, and IMAX DMR technology. IMAX DMR is the Company's groundbreaking digital re-mastering technology that allows it to digitally transform virtually any conventional motion picture into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience. IMAX's renowned projectors display crystal-clear images on the world's biggest screens, and the IMAX brand is recognized throughout the world for extraordinary and immersive entertainment experiences for consumers. As of June 30, 2008, there were 302 IMAX theatres operating in 40 countries.

IMAX(R), IMAX(R) 3D, IMAX DMR-, IMAX- MPX-, and The IMAX Experience(R) are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information on the Company can be found at www.imax.com.

This press release contains forward looking statements that are based on management's assumptions and existing information and involve certain risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Important factors that could affect these statements include ongoing discussions with the SEC and OSC relating to their ongoing inquiries and the Company's accounting, the performance of films, the signing of theatre system agreements, the viability of new technologies, businesses and products, the timing of theatre system deliveries, the mix of theatre systems shipped, the timing of the recognition of revenues and expenses on film production and distribution agreements, risks arising from potential material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting and fluctuations in foreign currency and in the large format, general commercial exhibition and out-of-home entertainment markets. These factors and other risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and most recent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

SOURCE IMAX Corporation