The End of Kodak?

[Paul Adsett]

Today's AOL news:

Eastman Kodak, the 133-year-old photography company, is warning investors thats it might not survive much longer.

In its earnings report Monday, the company warned that it doesn’t have “committed financing or available liquidity” to pay its roughly $500 million in upcoming debt obligations. “These conditions raise substantial doubt about the company’s ability to continue as a going concern,” Kodak said in a filing.

Kodak aims to conjure up cash by ceasing payments for its retirement pension plan. It also said that it doesn’t expect tariffs to have “material impacts” on its business because it manufactures its many of its products, including cameras, inks and film in the United States.

“In the second quarter, Kodak continued to make progress against our long-term plan despite the challenges of an uncertain business environment,” said Kodak CEO Jim Continenza in the earnings release.

[Steve Klare]

In a world where Sears, Roebuck and Co. has gone extinct, anything is possible!

Nothing is permanent.

Kodak was shaky something like 35 years ago and there was a billboard near their Rochester, New York hometown that said "Will the last one to leave Rochester please turn out the light?". It means a great deal to them up there. They have a saying "When Kodak sneezes, Rochester says 'God BLESS you!'".

[Ed Gordon]

Here is what Google's AI has to say:

The landscape of motion picture film manufacturing has evolved significantly with the rise of digital technologies. While the demand for film has decreased compared to its peak, several companies continue to produce film stock for both cinema and photographic use.


Here are some of the major players in motion picture film manufacturing:

• Eastman Kodak (Kodak): A historic giant in the photography and film industry, Kodak remains a key manufacturer of motion picture film stocks, including color and black and white films. They've been a major force in film innovation throughout the history of cinema, including pioneering innovations like safety film base and color negative film.
• FUJIFILM: Another significant player, Fujifilm produces various film types, including those for cinema. While they have scaled back some of their film offerings, they continue to cater to the film photography and cinema markets.
• Harman Technology (Ilford Photo): Operating under the Ilford Photo brand, Harman Technology specializes in producing black and white film and photographic papers. They also have the Kentmere brand under their wing, focusing on black and white film and papers.

Other smaller manufacturers and brands

Besides these major players, other companies contribute to the film stock market by specializing in particular types of film or by repackaging and distributing film from larger manufacturers. Some examples include:

• Foma: Known for its range of black and white films.
• Adox: Offers a variety of black and white films.
• Film Ferrania: An Italian company with a history in film production, now experiencing a revival.
• CineStill: A smaller company that modifies existing film stock for specific cinematic aesthetics.
• Lomography: Specializes in producing and distributing unique and experimental film stocks.

The state of the film industry

While the dominance of digital filmmaking is undeniable, film still holds a niche in the industry, particularly for high-end cinematic productions and projects seeking a particular aesthetic. However, the film industry, including manufacturers, has faced challenges due to the shift to digital and recent disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic and Hollywood strikes. Film companies are adapting by embracing hybrid production workflows and focusing on specific segments of the market.

It appears that Kodak is the last major manufacturer of motion picture film. FUJIFILM Motion picture film stock was Discontinued 2013. Ilford is no longer a player in motion picture film.

Film Ferrania seems to be the last hope for motion picture film if Kodak folds.

Sad days for film lovers. It reminds me of Mark Twain's comment on literature:

[Thomas Dafnides]

It is hard to believe the major Hollywood studios would allow Kodak to go under, most of the Best Picture Oscar winners in the last 10 years have been shot on Eastman film. I

[Brian Fretwell]

Of course the film manufacturing arm might be bought up by another company and, no doubt, reduced in size.

[Dominique De Bast]

If Kodak stops manufacturing filmstock, it's a disaster.

[Larry Arpin]

I wonder if Christopher Nolan could buy Kodak just to keep shooting on film? But that kind of industry needs plenty of support and it wouldn't be cheap to operate even in a reduced capacity.

[Osi Osgood]

If it was to fold, this wonderful rennisance of Super 8 releases, would come to an end, as soon as the available raw film stock was used up. Truly, a sad day. 😞

[Steve Klare]

I take it in the same direction and a little different, too.

I've been shooting Super-8 films since I was in high school and as pricy as Kodak cartridges have become in recent years, if Kodak stops producing them they will become way too expensive to buy, assuming somebody else bothers making them at all. If Kodak goes through a restructuring S8 film will be considered a "legacy product", and probably something to be left behind.

I am here now because around 2001 I first got internet access and one of the first questions I asked was "When did Super-8 die out?". The answer I got shocked me so thoroughly that I bought 5 cartridges of K-40 that day. A couple of months later I found out about Derann and went into sound, too.

Nothing is forever, but what a great quarter century I've had! Anything I'd done in film before then is pretty pale in comparison!

(Thank You, Internet!)