Imax Taps Jonathan Fischer, Former Netflix and Illumination Executive, as Chief Content Officer
Jonathan Fischer, a former Netflix and Illumination Entertainment executive, will join Imax as the company’s chief content officer. The company, which has become the preferred format for moviegoers hoping to catch blockbuster movies like “Dune: Part Two” and “Oppenheimer,” said that Fischer will oversee its content strategy across Hollywood and international films. But he will also help the company diversify, guiding it as it shows and sometimes produces documentaries, concerts, sports and other types of entertainment for its screens.
Fischer will be based in the company’s Playa Vista office and will report to Imax CEO Rich Gelfond.
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“Imax is opening its aperture to offer a greater, more diverse content portfolio to audiences worldwide — including more than 100 different awe-inspiring experiences across Hollywood and international films, documentaries, music, sports, and gaming in 2024 alone,” Gelfond said in a statement. “Jonathan brings a wealth of proven experience that will be critical as more filmmakers and artists than ever seek to create for our platform.”
Most recently, Fischer served as vice president of content strategy and analysis, global films for Netflix, where he developed the group’s greenlight process and collaborated on talent negotiations and dealmaking. Prior to Netflix, Fischer served as chief operating officer at both Illumination Entertainment, the animation studio behind the “Despicable Me” and “Sing” franchises, as well as New Regency Entertainment, the producer of “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “The Revenant.”
Fischer also served as the president of Groundswell Productions, chief financial officer of independent production company Intrepid Pictures, and worked in business development and strategic planning at Universal Pictures and The Walt Disney Company.
“I’m excited to join Rich and the superb team he’s built. IMAX gives audiences the most immersive entertainment experience, and I look forward to working with new and existing partners alike to bring even more great content to our fans,” said Fischer.
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