Kodak Struggles Even as Gen Z Fuels Film Camera Revival

With Gen Z everything old is new again. Gen Z has embraced retro trends, with many turning to CDs, DVDs, and film photography as a way to enjoy a more tangible and nostalgic experience. But can Gen Z save a 133 year old comapny?

Kodak is in trouble again. The company just reported a $26 million loss in its second-quarter earnings. It’s a 200% decrease. That’s a big swing from the $26 million profit it saw this time last year. Kodak also admitted it may not have the cash to cover upcoming debt, raising doubts about whether it can keep going.

What makes this surprising is that film photography is booming. Gen Z has fallen in love with the look and feel of film cameras. Many say it slows them down and makes them more thoughtful with each shot. And when it comes to film, Kodak is still the go-to name. According to Alex Cooke, editor-in-chief of Fstoppers, film photography feels real compared to the “digital perfection” of Instagram and TikTok, where images are often filtered, edited, and algorithm-driven.

• Kodak shares are down more than 15% in 2025.
• The company plans to cut its pension plan to help pay debt.
• Film sales, especially to Gen Z, remain strong.

So why the money problems? Kodak has faced challenges for decades, from the rise of digital cameras to a 2012 bankruptcy. Now, even with film’s comeback, debt is dragging it down.

Gen Z may be reviving film, but Kodak still has to prove it can survive long enough to ride that wave.