Even in a digital-dominated era, the lure of celluloid endures, vibrant, tactile, and timeless. For top directors and cinematographers, shooting on Kodak film is more than a technical decision. It’s an artistic commitment, a visual signature, and for many, an irreplaceable part of cinema’s soul. Kodak’s Q2 2025 financial results may have raised concerns among investors, showing a net loss, shrinking margins, and a formal “going concern” warning, but for the filmmaking community, this company is far more than its balance sheet. Kodak remains a guardian of an art form.
The Beating Heart of Analog Cinema
Inside Kodak’s facilities, the craft of analog image-making is not just preserved, it’s being reborn. As explored in The Magic of Film: Inside Kodak’s Lab and the Revival of Analog Cinema, the company’s Rochester lab has become a hub for filmmakers determined to keep working in a medium that breathes texture, depth, and authenticity. This is the space where reels are handled with care, emulsions are mixed like alchemical potions, and the distinctive look of film is kept alive for the next generation of cinema.
Award-Winning Stories, Shot on Film
The industry often celebrates digital innovation, but many of cinema’s most celebrated works are rooted in celluloid. The Cameras Behind 97th Academy Awards Film Wins: ‘Digital’ Thanks to Arricam, Arriflex, and Beaumont VistaVision reveals that even films honored for their “digital” look often originate on Kodak film stock. The truth is simple: celluloid’s color science, highlight roll-off, and organic grain remain unmatched. For filmmakers seeking the purest cinematic experience, film is still the gold standard.
The Joy of Shooting on Real Film
There’s a unique energy on a film set when the camera rolls with actual celluloid. As captured in Twisters Star: The Fun Part of Shooting on Film Is That Everybody Gets Excited About Shooting on Film, film production brings a heightened sense of focus, collaboration, and celebration. With film, every take matters. The crew leans in. The actors feel the weight of the moment. That electricity is hard to replicate in an endless digital recording environment.
Testimony From the Masters
For legendary cinematographers, shooting on film isn’t only nostalgia, but a necessity. Hoyte van Hoytema: Celluloid Is Alive and Kicking captures this conviction. Hoytema and other leading DPs continue to champion film for its unmatched ability to render light, texture, and emotion. Their work reminds us that Kodak’s survival is about preserving the creative choices that make cinema an art form.
A Film About Shooting on Film
Sometimes, the medium becomes the message. Steven Spielberg’s semi-autobiographical drama embraced this fully, as reflected in The Fabelmans: A Film About Shooting on Film. In such cases, film is more than a recording medium and becomes a character in the story, a vessel of memory and emotion.
A Company in Transition, A Medium Worth Saving
Kodak’s Q2 2025 report paints a challenging picture: revenue of $263 million, a net loss of $26 million, and ongoing liquidity concerns. To adapt, Kodak is expanding into Advanced Materials & Chemicals, with its Rochester facility now FDA-certified to produce pharmaceutical-grade products like phosphate buffered saline. These moves aim to secure the company’s future. But while diversification is critical, the heartbeat of Kodak — its film division — is what matters most to cinema. Without Kodak’s manufacturing infrastructure and expertise, the global supply of motion picture film could disappear. And with it, an irreplaceable chapter of visual culture would close.
The Call to Keep Film Alive
Celluloid is a format and a philosophy. It demands care, attention, and intentionality. It rewards those who value craft over convenience. Kodak’s future may be uncertain on Wall Street, but on film sets around the world, it’s still a source of inspiration. For as long as filmmakers keep choosing Kodak film, the medium will live. And as long as the medium lives, cinema retains one of its richest, most expressive voices.
