David Keighley, Imax’s first chief quality officer and a pioneer in large-format film presentation, has died at the age of 77 following a battle with cancer.
He passed away on August 28, according to a statement from Imax.
Keighley spent more than 15 years as Imax’s chief quality officer, overseeing post-production on over 500 films. Known as one of the company’s most influential figures, he worked with some of Hollywood’s most prominent filmmakers, including Christopher Nolan, James Cameron, and Francis Ford Coppola. His final project was Nolan’s upcoming film The Odyssey, set to be released on July 17, 2026.
Message from Christopher Nolan following the death of David Keighley, IMAX Chief Quality Officer. pic.twitter.com/d1vWgOTVS6
— Nolan Archive (@NolanAnalyst) September 2, 2025
In a tribute, Nolan praised Keighley’s contributions to modern filmmaking, saying, “No filmmaker today would be able to shoot or screen film of any format if not for David Keighley. Our entire industry owes him a massive debt.” Cameron also reflected on their collaborations, describing him as “a strong ally and a true believer in creating the ultimate cinema experience.”
Keighley began his career in 1972 alongside his wife and business partner Patricia, when they co-founded David Keighley Productions. The company specialized in large-format post-production and later co-directed Catch the Sun, their first project with Imax. In 1988, Imax acquired David Keighley Productions 70MM, further solidifying his legacy within the company.
Throughout his career, Keighley received numerous honors, including the Giant Screen Theater Association’s Special Achievement in Film Award and the SMPTE’s Herbert T. Kalmus Gold Medal for outstanding achievement in color motion pictures.
He is survived by his wife Patricia, three children—Geoff, Chris, and Jennifer—and two grandchildren, Sam and Eli.
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