Oscars 2026: IMAX pioneer David Kieghley left out from ‘In Memoriam’ segment, son slams organisers

Geoff Keighley, son of IMAX pioneer David Keighley, has slammed the organisers of this year’s Oscars for omitting his father from the ceremony’s ‘In Memoriam’ segment.

Keighley played a significant role in advancing the IMAX film format. He passed away in September 2025 at 77. He was not included in the tribute sequence during the Academy Awards broadcast, which commemorates members of the film industry who died in the previous year.

David wrote on the social media platform X that he was “incredibly disappointed and heartbroken” that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences had not acknowledged his father’s “immeasurable contributions to IMAX and cinema”.

Keighley was among several figures who were absent from the extended tribute. Actor Tom Noonan was also not mentioned despite his long association with film and television.

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Another glaring omission was that of French cinema icon Brigitte Bardot. Bardot, who passed away in December at the age of 91. He wasn’t reportedly included in the segment amid continued controversy over her political positions have been widely criticised as racist and homophobic.

The ‘In Memoriam’ segment featured appearances by Billy Crystal, Rachel McAdams, and Barbra Streisand, with Streisand concluding the tribute with a musical performance.