Kodak’s Next Chapter

Supporting the Future of Film

By Marwan El Mozayen / SilvergrainClassics

Kodak has recently completed signiﬁcant upgrades to its ﬁlm production and ﬁnishing facilities in Rochester, New York. This investment comes as ﬁlm demand continues to grow, oﬀering a positive sign for the future of analog photography and ﬁlmmaking.

Planned Upgrades for Increased Production

According to the manaufacturer the upgrades required a planned ﬁve-week shutdown of Kodak’s ﬁlm sensitizing operations.

At the heart of the upgrades was the ﬁlm-sensitizing machine, a critical component in the production process. Sensitizing, which must be done in complete darkness, is a key step in creating the high-quality ﬁlm Kodak is known for. Improvements were also made in the production of the ﬁlm base, chemical manufacturing, and ﬁnishing processes, all designed to meet the growing demand for ﬁlm.

Film’s Growing Popularity

As highlighted in our recent article about ﬁlm prices and the state of the analog industry, interest in ﬁlm has been on the rise. Consumer demand has doubled over the last ﬁve years, driven by Millennials and Gen Xers who are turning to ﬁlm for its unique, tactile qualities. Disposable cameras and 35mm ﬁlm have become popular again, particularly for events or occasions where people want a diﬀerent, more intentional experience compared to digital photography.

Professional demand is also increasing, with ﬁlmmakers continuing to choose analog for its distinct aesthetic. High-proﬁle productions like Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, which was shot on Kodak ﬁlm, are a reminder that motion picture ﬁlm remains a vital medium in the creative world.

Balancing Demand and Costs

The analog revival hasn’t come without challenges. Rising costs for raw materials and production have led to price increases for ﬁlm, as discussed in our online article. Kodak’s investments in their facilities reﬂect a commitment to improving production eﬃciency while addressing these challenges.

Although rising costs are a reality across the analog industry, these upgrades suggest that Kodak is planning for the long term, ensuring they can continue to supply ﬁlm to both consumers and professionals as demand grows.

Building for the Future

Kodak’s investments extend beyond infrastructure. Over half of their current manufacturing workforce has been hired in the last three years, with hundreds of new employees joining the Rochester facility. By bringing in new talent and training them in ﬁlm production, Kodak is ensuring that the knowledge and craftsmanship behind ﬁlm remain strong for the future.

SilvergrainClassics Will Keep You Updated

At SilvergrainClassics, we’ve been closely following the analog industry’s developments, including the challenges of rising costs and the renewed interest in ﬁlm. Kodak’s upgrades represent a signiﬁcant moment in this revival, and we’ll continue to monitor how these represent a signiﬁcant moment in this revival, and we’ll continue to monitor how these changes impact the community.

We’ll provide further insights into how these investments aﬀect ﬁlm pricing, availability, and the analog market as a whole. Our aim is to keep our readers informed about the evolving state of ﬁlm while celebrating the enduring appeal of analog photography.

Moving Forward Together

The analog revival is about more than nostalgia – it’s about the value ﬁlm brings to photography and ﬁlmmaking. Kodak’s upgrades are a clear response to this growing demand, and while challenges remain, it’s reassuring to see such a strong commitment to the medium.

At SilvergrainClassics, we’re excited to see what this means for the future of ﬁlm and will continue to follow the story as it develops. For now, Kodak’s investment is a step forward for the analog community, and a sign that ﬁlm still has an important place in both photography and ﬁlmmaking today.