David Keighley, IMAX’s Chief Quality Officer, Geoff Keighley’s dad, passes away at 77

IMAX’s first-ever chief quality officer, David Keighley, has passed away at the age of 77. Beyond being the father of Geoff Keighley, the mastermind behind The Game Awards, David Keighley dedicated over 50 years to ensuring the highest quality of the IMAX cinematic experience, overseeing the post-production of more than 500 films.

A career defined by excellence

David Keighley’s journey in the world of giant screen filmmaking began in 1972. Alongside his wife and business partner, Patricia, he was inspired by the IMAX film 'North of Superior,' leading them to co-found David Keighley Productions. Their first co-directed project was the IMAX film ‘Catch the Sun’ in 1972, marking the beginning of a lifelong partnership with IMAX. For decades, Keighley’s approval was the final step for every IMAX film print leaving the lab.

His work spanned a wide range of productions, from major Hollywood blockbusters to groundbreaking nature documentaries. Keighley was widely respected by some of the most prominent directors in the industry, including Christopher Nolan, James Cameron, Francis Ford Coppola, and Denis Villeneuve. His final professional work was on Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film, ‘The Odyssey,’ which is the first theatrical release shot entirely with IMAX film cameras. According to IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond, Keighley completed his review of the dailies for the film just days before his death. This final project serves as a fitting capstone to a career dedicated to pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling.

In a statement, Rich Gelfond described Keighley as “the human embodiment of IMAX,” highlighting his relentless drive to deliver awe-inspiring images. Beyond his work at IMAX, Keighley was a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC), and a Life Fellow of the SMPTE. His contributions were recognized with the Herbert T. Kalmus Gold Medal for Outstanding Achievement in Color Motion Pictures.

May he rest in peace.

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