UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 22, 2012

ABITIBIBOWATER INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

(514) 875-2160

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

2011 Short-Term Incentive Plan

Upon the recommendation of the human resources and compensation/nominating and governance committee, the board of directors of AbitibiBowater Inc., doing business as Resolute Forest Products (the “Company”), approved the payment of incentive awards to the Company’s participating employees, including the Company’s named executive officers, under the previously announced 2011 AbitibiBowater Inc. Short-Term Incentive Plan, or the “2011 STIP.” The approved awards under the 2011 STIP to the Company’s named executive officers are as follows: Yves Laflamme ($178,500), John Lafave ($78,300), Jo-Ann Longworth ($91,120) and Jacques P. Vachon ($151,725). Richard Garneau was entitled to but declined an award of $401,625. The 2011 STIP awards are consistent with previously-disclosed parameters. The value of the awards to named executive officers are 52.5% of the target established under the 2011 STIP, except for John Lafave whose award was 26.1% of target. Ms. Longworth’s payout is prorated for her period of employment with the Company in 2011.

2012 Short-Term Incentive Plan

Upon the recommendation of the human resources and compensation/nominating and governance committee, the board of directors of the Company adopted on February 22, 2012, the material terms of the 2012 AbitibiBowater Inc. Short-Term Incentive Plan, or the “2012 STIP.” The 2012 STIP provides that participating employees, including each of the Company’s named executive officers, are eligible to receive cash incentive awards expressed as a percentage of their base salaries, based on certain quantitative Company performance goals over the 2012 annual period. In respect of the Company’s named executive officers, the target and maximum incentive awards are 100% and 150% of base salary, with no applicable minimum, and the applicable performance metrics may include: income from operations, reduction in selling, general and administrative expenses, profit per metric ton, frequency of safety incidents and severity of safety incidents.

Awards, if granted, are expected to be made in the first quarter of 2013. The aggregate amount payable under the 2012 STIP for all eligible employees is limited to 7% of the Company’s 2012 free cash flow (defined as income from operations adjusted for cash interest, cash reorganization costs, depreciation, pension funding, cash taxes, working capital variation and maintenance capital expenditures).

Employees remain eligible for pro rated awards if they voluntarily retire or are terminated other than for cause during the year. Employees who voluntarily resign during the year or are terminated for cause will not be eligible. The Company may adjust financial and cost metrics, and may adjust any and all awards in its discretion. Awards are discretionary and subject to modification until they are made, including increases, decreases, cancellations, deferrals and other conditions, even if performance levels have been met.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Dated: February 28, 2012