Kodak Ektachrome Film Emulation with AI and Machine Learning
- Filmatic AI
- Sep 4
- 2 min read
Film Emulation with AI and Machine Learning
For decades, Kodak Ektachrome 100 has been one of the most iconic film stocks ever created. Known for its bold contrast, vibrant saturation, fine grain, and beautiful skin tones, it’s been used in everything from Spike Lee’s Inside Man to HBO’s Euphoria. But shooting actual 35mm reversal film today is expensive, slow, and limited. That’s why filmmakers often turn to LUTs (Look-Up Tables) to emulate the look of film on digital cameras.
The challenge? Most LUTs are just creative approximations—they shift colors, tweak contrast, and add saturation, but they don’t capture the true non-linear behavior of film. That’s where AI and machine learning change the game.
Why Film Emulation Needs More Than a “Look”
Film doesn’t respond to light in a simple, linear way. Instead, it has a complex 3D color response:
Shadows compress into rich blacks.
Midtones stay vibrant and saturated.
Highlights roll off smoothly without harsh clipping.
Red, green, and blue layers each react differently depending on exposure.
This geometry of film response is what gives Ektachrome its distinctive cinematic
character—and it’s why traditional LUTs can’t fully replicate it.
Using AI and Machine Learning to Rebuild Ektachrome
At Filmatic AI, we developed a machine learning model trained on thousands of real film samples. By feeding in over 17,000 measured data points across 10 stops of exposure, we were able to teach the model how Kodak Ektachrome 100 reacts to light, color, and exposure.
This approach goes beyond a matrix transform or curve adjustment. Instead, it lets each hue and channel move non-linearly and independently in 3D space, just as film does. The result is a 3D LUT that doesn’t just “look” like Ektachrome—it actually behaves like Ektachrome.
Why We Call It Ektachrome 800
Original Ektachrome 100 was rated at ISO 100—amazing for projection, but impractical in today’s digital workflows where most cinema cameras are rated around ISO 800.
We modernized our LUT to an 800 ISO baseline, meaning you get the same color science and tonal richness of Kodak Ektachrome without needing massive lights to expose it correctly. It’s the authentic Ektachrome response, rebuilt for modern digital cinematography.
Compatible With Today’s Leading Cameras
We’ve optimized the Filmatic Ektachrome LUT for the most popular cinema systems:
ARRI Alexa Mini / LF / Classic – LogC3
ARRI Alexa 35 – LogC4
Sony Venice 2 & FX Series (FX3, FX6, FX9) – S-Log3.Cine
RED DSMC3 (Komodo, Komodo-X, V-Raptor) – REDLog3G10
Blackmagic Cinema Cameras (Pocket 4K, 6K, Cinema 6K) – BMDFilm
Whether you’re shooting on ARRI, Sony, RED, or Blackmagic, you can now apply Ektachrome’s timeless look directly in your workflow.
The Future of Film Emulation with AI
AI and machine learning aren’t replacing creativity—they’re tools for precision. By modeling the empirical, measured behavior of film, we can bring back film looks that were once thought impossible to replicate digitally.
With Filmatic’s Ektachrome 100 LUT, filmmakers finally have access to a film emulation that’s not just a style, but a scientifically accurate recreation of Kodak’s legendary stock.
Ready to Try It?
The Filmatic Kodak Ektachrome 100 LUT is available now—camera-optimized, non-destructive, and shipped with an included PowerGrade for DaVinci Resolve to help you start grading quickly.
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