Ikigai Film Lab

29/06/2026

In 2022 we launched a free nationwide recycling program for film containers to keep them out of landfill.

Four years later, we’ve just reached a milestone we’re incredibly proud of.

Together with 24 film labs across Australia, we’ve now diverted more than one tonne of film plastic from landfill 🤯

That’s more than 180,000 rolls worth of plastic. Collected, sorted, and shredded here in Melbourne.

We’ve built a nationwide collection network all without grants or outside funding.

This was only possible thanks to the labs who believed in the idea and the thousands of photographers who chose to recycle by supporting labs in the program.

Over the next few weeks we’re releasing our first collection of homewares, made in collaboration with Defy Plastic Recycling, from nothing but collected film containers.

Working with this plastic has been challenging, and there’s still a long way to go.

Our recycled film case has already gone through multiple redesigns and is currently being refined so we can be happy with the final result.

To every photographer who has recycled a film container or supported one of the participating labs, thank you.

And to these legends who have been collecting plastic with us over the past four years, thank you for believing in the project from the beginning.

The Presentation Place
Q***r Lab
Open Lab
PhotoXpert - Photo Lab
Camera House Drummoyne
digiDirect (Miranda and Perth)
CameraClix | Cameras • Lenses • Gear
Bayou Film
ProAm Film Lab & Custom Framing
byronphotomagic
Georges Cameras
Hornsby Camera House | Photo + Video Experts
Fotofast Brisbane Film Lab
Wade’s World
lazaruslab
Adelaide Photo Factory
Hutt Street Photos
Irohas Photo Perth
PhotoCoCamerahouse
Focus Pocus Film Lab

One tonne down.

Here’s to the next one 🧡

01/05/2026

There’s a lot of noise right now about Ektacolor, Ektar, Ektapan and Ektachrome so here’s a reminder of what’s actually going on.

For the last decade, Kodak Alaris has been responsible for branding and distribution of Kodak stills film. The film itself has always been manufactured by Eastman Kodak.

That means every roll of Portra you’ve been shooting was already made by Eastman Kodak. Alaris just handled how it was packaged, marketed, and sold.

What’s changed is that Eastman Kodak is taking back some level of distribution.

As part of that transition, you’ll be seeing new boxes like:

Ektacolor Pro 160, 400, 800.
Ektapan 100, 400 and 3200

These sit directly in place of Portra 160, 400, 800, TMAX 100, 400 and 3200.

These are all exactly the same films with a different label and box but with the name changed due to a trademark dispute between Alaris and Eastman.

So despite how it has been presented by 90% of influencers, these are not “new stocks”.

It is only a distribution and branding change.

Removing a layer between manufacturer and market should, in theory, lead to more stability there, which is something the industry has needed for a while.

Portra 160 has already dropped in price.

Our store currently lists all original lines and old photos but expect to receive this new packaging if you’ve ordered from today.

If you say Ektacolor is Portra in the comments we’ll even give you a cookie 🍪

Thanks for sticking with us in these confusing times

05/03/2026

We just got an early preview of HARMAN SWITCH AZURE and it’s a wild one

This new creative film flips colour in unexpected ways, blues turn orange, yellows shift to vibrant azure, and reds drift into purple-blue. Definitely one for experimentation.

Available now in 35mm and 120, rated at ISO 125 for best results.

We’ve already tested it on both Frontier and Noritsu scanners, and there are plenty of creative possibilities depending on how you play with the colour slope during scanning.

If you’re keen to try something creative and unpredictable, this one’s worth a roll.

Shot on HARMAN SWITCH AZURE
Now available at Ikigai Film Lab

01/03/2026

As many of you know, Eastman Kodak Company is now directly distributing stills film in the US and Canada.

Kodak Alaris has historically been the sole distributor of this film.

Earlier this year, Alaris unfortunately announced a significant price increase.

We’re aiming to avoid most of that, at least short term, by switching many stocks to Eastman-branded boxes.

What that means for you 💫

• Same film
• Same factory
• Same emulsion
• Different box

Same grain, less pain.

No new formula. No change to what’s inside. Just factory-direct packaging.

You may see Alaris and Eastman boxes side by side.

As Eastman stock lands, it’ll roll into the store. Next up: Kodak Tri-X 400 and Kodak Ektachrome E100.

The goal is simple: keep film as accessible as possible for the community and soften price hikes wherever we can.

Keep an eye out for these in your orders! ☺️

20/02/2026

Happy Friday film friends 🫡 We’ve been cookin’.

Rolling out on Monday is our new lab order tracker.

It gives you a clearer idea of when to expect your scans based on film type, lets you see how busy the lab is, and includes a shared notes section alongside your estimate so you can stay in the loop.

It’s where we’ll post film tips, public holiday closures, long-weekend catch-ups, and general lab info that can affect turnaround time too.

The system automatically accounts for weekends and public holidays, and it’s tied directly to your mobile number. So put those fingers away, no more countin’ ☝️

Simple, clear, and designed to make your life easier (and our inbox a little emptier 🫢)

(If there’s enough demand, I may or may not make Nathan and Polly write 365 film tips for the year 😘)

22/01/2026

Big news for those in Brunswick 👀 .melbourne is hosting our first Melbourne drop box ☕️ 🎞️!

Picked up by us every Monday at 8 AM.

Swing by, grab a coffee and drop your rolls 🧡

15/01/2026