---
title: David Keighley, Pioneer of Large-Format Cinema and Key Force Behind IMAX’s Global Rise, Dies at 77
publisher: "IMAX"
description: "A long-tenured champion of the IMAX Experience and a beloved pioneer in film presentation"
canonical: "https://www.imax.com/david-keighley"
date: 2025-09-02
last_updated: 2025-10-20
---

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September 2, 2025

David Keighley, Pioneer of Large-Format Cinema and Key Force Behind IMAX’s Global Rise, Dies at 77
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**Los Angeles, CA –** David Keighley, a long-tenured champion of the IMAX Experience and a beloved pioneer in film presentation, has passed away at the age of 77.

One of IMAX’s most beloved employees, the industry icon was the longtime steward of IMAX’s unmatched image and sound quality. For the last 15 years, he served as IMAX’s first-ever Chief Quality Officer, rounding out several decades of work with the company. He oversaw post-production for more than 500 IMAX films—ranging from cutting-edge blockbusters to pioneering nature documentaries—and was a trusted partner to some of the world’s most lauded filmmakers, including Christopher Nolan.

Throughout his work, Keighley embodied the principle that presentation matters as much as content. He was intensely driven to ensure every audience could experience films with the highest possible fidelity, and his meticulous attention to detail often saw him flying to IMAX screenings around the world to personally check on projection quality.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend David, a treasured member of the IMAX family for more than 50 years,” said IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond. “David was as close to the human embodiment of IMAX as there has ever been, relentless in his drive to deliver awe-inspiring images to audiences around the globe. He was incredibly energized and proud of his work on the upcoming _The Odyssey_, completing his review of the dailies just days before his death in a bittersweet but fitting capstone to a remarkable career. We extend our deepest condolences to David’s wife, Patricia, and his family, and our enduring gratitude to David for everything he’s done for IMAX and the art of filmmaking.”

Keighley first entered the giant screen industry in 1972, alongside his wife and business partner, Patricia. Inspired by their experience watching IMAX’s _North of Superior_, the newlyweds founded large-format post-production company David Keighley Productions. In 1972, the Keighleys co-directed the IMAX film _Catch the Sun._ They quickly formed a lasting partnership with IMAX, working on every one of the company’s releases thereafter. For decades, no IMAX film print left the lab without Keighley’s personal approval.

In 1988, DKP 70MM was acquired by IMAX, and both Keighleys formally joined its team. Keighley’s exacting work became the backbone of IMAX’s reputation for technical excellence, helping grow the company from a niche short film format to a global leader in premium cinema experiences. At the IMAX offices in Los Angeles, the company’s premier theater is named the “David Keighley Theater,” dedicated in a ceremony by Christopher Nolan in 2015. Just three weeks ago, Keighley completed work reviewing the dailies for Christopher Nolan’s upcoming _The Odyssey_, which will be the first theatrical release ever shot entirely with IMAX film cameras.

Beyond his dogged commitment to excellence, Keighley was revered throughout the industry and among cinema fans nationwide for his kindness, humor, and generosity. His email address—[CQO@IMAX.com(opens in new window)](mailto:CQO@IMAX.com)— appears in the credits of all films released in IMAX, and he tirelessly offered warm, detailed responses to fans from around the world who reached out with concerns or questions.

Keighley was a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and a participant in its Science & Technology Awards Committee. He was a member of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC), a Life Fellow of the SMPTE and a recipient of its Herbert T. Kalmus Gold Medal for Outstanding Achievement in Color Motion Pictures. He received the Giant Screen Theater Association's inaugural Special Achievement in Film Award, and he was later honored alongside his wife with the organization’s Outstanding Achievement Award, in recognition of their lasting impact on the industry.

Keighley is survived by his wife Patricia, three children (Geoff, Chris and Jennifer), and two grandchildren (Sam and Eli).

**Tributes to David Keighley**

_“David Keighley was my friend and IMAX mentor for over twenty years. His expertise and collaborative spirit put IMAX cameras into my hands for the first time and opened Hollywood’s eyes to the power of the format, starting with_ The Dark Knight_. His keen eye and uncompromising standards meant that audiences were treated to the best possible experience of our films — a massive part of their impact. When, a decade ago, photochemical film faced an existential threat, David brought it to our attention, just in time to rally filmmakers and studios and ensure continued production. No filmmaker would be able to shoot or screen film of any format today if not for David Keighley — our entire industry owes him a massive debt. The last film he completed work on was Ryan Coogler’s_ Sinners_, and while it breaks my heart to know that we will not be finishing ‘The Odyssey’ together, I take comfort knowing that he personally supervised the processing and printing of everything we shot. I miss him as a collaborator and as a friend.”_

**\- Christopher Nolan**

_“I remember so vividly working closely with David on many projects, starting over 25 years ago when I started exploring digital 3D for IMAX. He was a strong ally and a true believer in creating the ultimate cinema experience for audiences around the world. He will be deeply missed.”_

**\- James Cameron**

_“Some people are irreplaceable. David Keighley is one of them. Cinema is mourning one of its most brilliant technical masters. My sincere condolences to his family. "_

**\- Denis Villeneuve**

_"David Keighley was the \[IMAX\] contact for me from before Apocalypse Now and a major loss for cinema, IMAX, and us all. My condolences.”_

**– Francis Ford Coppola**

_“I met David Keighley on recommendation from Chris Nolan. Chris called me after we gained approval to shoot on IMAX for_ Sinners_, to make sure that David was point on all of our large format quality control. It was clear from that conversation that David meant the world to Chris. I immediately spoke with our DP Autumn Arkapaw and discovered that David had already been reviewing every frame of our test footage and had been writing detailed reports even before we were officially greenlit. He was already looking after our film._

_David was amazing. Seeing him and his wife Patricia became my favorite part of every IMAX review screening. He was clearly a genius — having over 53 years of experience with the most advanced image capturing system in the world, but he also adored his craft._

_He took me and my crew on countless tours of the projection booths at IMAX headquarters. No question was too big or small. You can find him on TikTok showing influencers some of these same tours as our press tour for_ Sinners _ramped up. He was full of so much excitement and energy, and moved briskly through the IMAX halls often leaving me out of breath trying to keep up with him._

_I’ll miss our talks about the science of film exposure as well as hearing his stories about falling in love with the format as a young man in Canada. I’ll miss his tours. And will miss hearing his callouts in our quality control reviews. Anyone who’s ever had their mind blown by the images in an IMAX theatrical presentation has David to thank for it. It’s on us now, both filmmakers and film goers, to keep the format alive and pushing forward as he intended.”_

**\- Ryan Coogler**