Beginning in 2024, FotoKem partnered closely with director Jon Favreau, cinematographer David Klein and Lucasfilm to deliver end-to-end services for The Mandalorian & Grogu, the first theatrical Star Wars release since Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (Episode IX) in 2019. The FotoKem team supported production from nextLAB® dailies through conform and final color, along with nextLAB automation for VFX and conform pulls to ensure a seamless pipeline from set to screen. With FotoKem’s engineering team ensuring a smooth and secure environment across multiple locations, FotoKem’s Creative Services team managed a complex array of deliverables tailored for a global theatrical rollout, including 2D and 3D SDR, Dolby and Barco, as well as IMAX, ScreenX, and Cinity formats with multiple image aspect ratios. Creative Services’ Trailer Marketing team also played a key role in building excitement for the film, producing teasers, trailers, and broadcast spots including for high-profile moments such as the Super Bowl, D23 and Star Wars Celebration. Additionally, FotoKem’s Margarita Mix handled voiceover recording for Jeremy Allen White who plays Rotta the Hutt in the film, contributing to a comprehensive, integrated post production effort on one of the franchise’s most anticipated releases. It is a privilege to support such a great film in bringing this legendary saga back to its home on the silver screen.

As part of Howard University’s 2026 Research Month, the Howard Thesis Showcase on May 6, 2026, will spotlight the next generation of cinematic voices. The event features a curated selection of short films from graduating senior Film & TV majors and MFA candidates, showcasing the diverse artistic visions and narratives rooted in the DMV community. In support of these emerging filmmakers, FotoKem is proud to sponsor the “Visual Artistry Award.” The recipient for the top short film will be honored with a unique 70mm film strip featuring custom stills from their production—a tangible tribute to their craft and visual storytelling.

FotoKem continued its long-standing partnership with California State University, Northridge, supporting the 35th Annual CSUN Senior Film Showcase with end-to-end services. Eight thesis projects were produced with full dailies support throughout the school year, with five selected for DI finishing and inclusion in the showcase. Spanning both digital and film workflows—one project was shot on film—Creative Services provided conform, color, and final DCP deliverables for the presentation. Marking over five years of collaboration with the program, the effort also included contributions from two team members who are CSUN alumni, reflecting the company’s ongoing investment in aspiring filmmakers. The contributing team attended the showcase, held at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on April 29, celebrating the students’ achievements firsthand.

The 2026 Peabody Awards celebrated a trio of narratives that pushed the boundaries of modern storytelling, bolstered by exceptional technical craftsmanship. Adult Swim’s Common Side Effects stood out not only for its sharp animated conspiracy plot but for its immersive auditory landscape, specifically the masterful sound mix by Margarita Mix, alongside the pristine voice recording services provided by LA Studios. The technical excellence continued with FX’s Dying for Sex, which utilized the LA Studios team for expert ADR to ensure the emotional weight of its intimate performances remained crystal clear. Meanwhile, Vince Gilligan’s Pluribus was lovingly guided from dailies through post (including VFX) by the expert FotoKem Episodic team. By honoring these projects, the Peabodys recognized the seamless collaboration between bold creators and the industry-leading studios that brought these stories to life with such precision.

At the Cannes Film Festival this year (May 12-23), several highly anticipated projects supported by FotoKem creative teams will make their world debuts. In the main competition and official selections, titles include the period thriller Victorian Psycho (ADR by Margarita Mix), the documentary Groundswell (DI by Creative Services), and Diamond (nextLAB dailies and DI by Creative Services). Additionally, LA Studios provided recording services for the animated feature Tangles. Running alongside the main event, the 58th Director’s Fortnight continues its tradition of honoring formal freedom and narrative risk-taking. FotoKem’s artists and innovators played a vital role in bringing these visionary stories to life, specifically with the Film Lab and Creative Services providing 16mm processing and color finishing for Atonement, and LA Studios providing ADR services for the evocative Butterfly Jam. The cinematic celebration then crosses the Atlantic for the 30th Anniversary of the American Black Film Festival in Miami Beach from May 27–31. Among the featured works is Sr. (aka Senior), which received final color finishing by FotoKem Creative Services. From the film processing to finishing and recording, huge thanks to all the FotoKem teams for supporting the filmmakers shaping this year’s global festival circuit.

Following a spectacular night at the 98th Academy Awards, FotoKem is happy to celebrate both the films and our pivotal role in bringing a few of this year’s biggest Oscar winners to the screen. Warner Bros.’ One Battle After Another (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor, Best Film Editing, and Best Casting) and the epic Sinners (Best Cinematography, Best Original Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Original Score) dominated the ceremony, taking home a combined ten Academy Awards, including the Best Cinematography award for Autumn Durald Arkapaw, the fourth woman in the Academy’s history to be nominated for Best Cinematography and the first ever to win.

Behind the breathtaking visuals of both great films is FotoKem’s legendary and unparalleled expertise in large-format film processing, scanning, and color grading, as we worked closely with directors Paul Thomas Anderson and Ryan Coogler and cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw to push the boundaries of analog filmmaking.

For Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, lensed by cinematographer Michael Bauman, FotoKem navigated the complex workflow required for the legacy 35mm VistaVision format, handling everything from daily high-resolution scanning and traditional color timing to executing complex optical blow-ups and crafting analog release prints in both 35mm and 70mm formats.

Shooting Sinners on 5-perf 65mm Ultra Panavision and 15-perf IMAX, Coogler and Durald Arkapaw relied on FotoKem’s comprehensive lab and color services from end to end. From early large-format test screenings to processing massive negatives and striking pristine 70mm theatrical prints, FotoKem’s partnership with these visionary filmmakers highlights our ongoing dedication to the beauty and spectacle of celluloid.

And last but definitely not least, FotoKem’s Margarita Mix is incredibly proud to have provided top-tier recording services for Sony Pictures Animation and Netflix’s smash hit, K-Pop Demon Hunters. The genre-bending musical fantasy took home the Oscars for both Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for the chart-topping anthem, “Golden.” Bringing the dual lives of the demon-hunting K-pop group HUNTR/X to the screen required world-class audio, and the Margarita Mix team was thrilled to help capture the film’s dynamic vocal performances. It was a true honor to partner with visionary directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans and to see their groundbreaking, culturally rich story recognized on Hollywood’s biggest stage!

Topping the list of Academy Award nominations January 22 were two films FotoKem collaborated with most prodigiously: Ryan Coogler’s Sinners (with a record 16 nominations) and PT Anderson’s One Battle After Another (an impressive 13 nominations). For Sinners, FotoKem provided the 65mm processing, dailies, color / DI, and 70mm film prints, and for Battle, we provided processing, dailies, color timing, optical conversions and multiple formats of theatrical prints. Both pictures also received noms for Best Cinematography, along with Frankenstein, Marty Supreme, and Train Dreams — three great titles for which FotoKem also created film beautiful release prints. Other Oscar-nominated titles the FotoKem team worked on include The Smashing Machine, Bugonia, Arco, and KPop Demon Hunters. Congrats to all the creatives involved in all these fantastic motion pictures.

FotoKem’s Media Services division just wrapped up a record-breaking month. Not only did the team handle an increase in projects from Lionsgate, they also juggled large orders from AMC and A24 and other content publishers. Not to mention Media Services delivered over 2,800 titles to platforms including Netflix, Amazon, HBOMax, Apple iTunes and Pluto. Thanks to our entire team, including the Account Managers, Localization & Metadata for all their hard work!

Four new FotoKem episodic color suites are almost ready for prime time. With the completion of the new episodic space, the first floor will now house our two main DCI theaters and four large living-room-style finishing suites adjacent to our Cafe / Lounge. All of which is adding to our three DI theaters, Lodge DI theater, screening environments for 16mm, 35mm, VistaVision, and 70mm, and six additional monitor-based grading suites on the second floor. Stay tuned for the reveal of all the new rooms very soon!