Mackinaw
Think Different
This popped up on the Ferrania P30 Facebook page earlier today. Apparently Jake Seal, an American, now owns the company. At least I think so. Does anybody read Italian?
Jim B.
Jim B.
luuca
Well-known
Italian here.
Yes, Jack Seal bought Ferrania.
He wants to restart production.
He chose Ferrania because it is one of the six locations in the whole world where you can produce film (and still find the know-how to produce it).
He already met the former owners to discuss the renovation to restart with production.
Yes, Jack Seal bought Ferrania.
He wants to restart production.
He chose Ferrania because it is one of the six locations in the whole world where you can produce film (and still find the know-how to produce it).
He already met the former owners to discuss the renovation to restart with production.
Retro-Grouch
Veteran
Oh, pul-lease! This is starting to feel like the e-Film from "I'm Back."
KoNickon
Nick Merritt
I think that's what's going on -- but I barely read Italian. Aiutatemi, per favore!
luuca
Well-known
translation made by Deepseek (can't assure perfect translation):
Los Angeles — Jake Seal, a U.S. producer and one of the entrepreneurs betting on analog film, has brought new life to an old tradition in the film industry. To achieve this cutting-edge technology, Seal moved from the digital world to the tactile realm of celluloid—a medium you can touch with your hands, one that demands patience and care to avoid mistakes.
A few weeks ago, Seal traveled to Italy to visit the historic Film Ferrania factory, the first plant built in the heart of the Val Bormida technology park in 2007 with the goal of reviving film production. This ambitious project had lost momentum in recent years, surviving only as a niche endeavor. Ferrania’s decline began in 1964 when the iconic film company was acquired by 3M.
Today, operations are housed in a building that once belonged to the old Ferrania facility. The Rebel Lab, dedicated to photographic experimentation, is located here. Seal, deeply passionate about film preservation, hails from Louisiana, where he owns Oniro Studios. Meanwhile, in Ferrania, the factory—though a shadow of its former self—still houses some of the original machinery. Despite its reduced scale, it remains possible to produce film here, thanks to both the equipment and, most importantly, the expertise of former Ferrania employees.
Reviving this legacy are key figures like Marco Poggio and Nicola Baldini. Why Ferrania? Because it’s one of the few places in the world where high-quality film is still made, and because the know-how resides here.
The legendary P30 film once put Cairo and the Val Bormida on the global map through the masterpieces of Italian cinema. Now, that dream is reborn thanks to Jake Seal, the American producer who acquired Film Ferrania to bring analog film back to life.
The new team includes former Ferrania workers, as well as collaborators like John Hawkes, Mario van Schaik, and Gianni Giovannotti. Francesco Lagorio, administrator of the technology park, emphasizes the importance of sustainable development. The Rosellini family’s involvement adds further momentum. Film Ferrania is more than just a factory—it’s a creative hub, and the hope is that international investors will recognize its potential.
The story will also be told through the upcoming "Ferrania Film Museum," championed by Claire Schoenlein. Despite challenges, the passion for film persists, not just for artistic or archival purposes but also for its industrial applications in preserving cultural heritage.
At Ferrania, Jake Seal and his team are working meticulously. As Seal himself says, "This is about more than just film—it’s about legacy." His productions in the U.S. and Europe reflect this vision, blending tradition with innovation.
Los Angeles — Jake Seal, a U.S. producer and one of the entrepreneurs betting on analog film, has brought new life to an old tradition in the film industry. To achieve this cutting-edge technology, Seal moved from the digital world to the tactile realm of celluloid—a medium you can touch with your hands, one that demands patience and care to avoid mistakes.
A few weeks ago, Seal traveled to Italy to visit the historic Film Ferrania factory, the first plant built in the heart of the Val Bormida technology park in 2007 with the goal of reviving film production. This ambitious project had lost momentum in recent years, surviving only as a niche endeavor. Ferrania’s decline began in 1964 when the iconic film company was acquired by 3M.
Today, operations are housed in a building that once belonged to the old Ferrania facility. The Rebel Lab, dedicated to photographic experimentation, is located here. Seal, deeply passionate about film preservation, hails from Louisiana, where he owns Oniro Studios. Meanwhile, in Ferrania, the factory—though a shadow of its former self—still houses some of the original machinery. Despite its reduced scale, it remains possible to produce film here, thanks to both the equipment and, most importantly, the expertise of former Ferrania employees.
Reviving this legacy are key figures like Marco Poggio and Nicola Baldini. Why Ferrania? Because it’s one of the few places in the world where high-quality film is still made, and because the know-how resides here.
The legendary P30 film once put Cairo and the Val Bormida on the global map through the masterpieces of Italian cinema. Now, that dream is reborn thanks to Jake Seal, the American producer who acquired Film Ferrania to bring analog film back to life.
The new team includes former Ferrania workers, as well as collaborators like John Hawkes, Mario van Schaik, and Gianni Giovannotti. Francesco Lagorio, administrator of the technology park, emphasizes the importance of sustainable development. The Rosellini family’s involvement adds further momentum. Film Ferrania is more than just a factory—it’s a creative hub, and the hope is that international investors will recognize its potential.
The story will also be told through the upcoming "Ferrania Film Museum," championed by Claire Schoenlein. Despite challenges, the passion for film persists, not just for artistic or archival purposes but also for its industrial applications in preserving cultural heritage.
At Ferrania, Jake Seal and his team are working meticulously. As Seal himself says, "This is about more than just film—it’s about legacy." His productions in the U.S. and Europe reflect this vision, blending tradition with innovation.
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KoNickon
Nick Merritt
Interesting -- thanks for this. Though it seems to me that Ferrania would need to sell a lot of film to be competitive. So is Ferrania being made now? There is reference to it now only "surviving as a niche endeavor" (whatever that means).
Oren Grad
Well-known
Yes:
Film Ferrania
The existing activity is the result of intensive effort over a period of years to resume production in the face of daunting economic, technical and bureaucratic obstacles. The fact that they've gotten this far is pretty remarkable. There has been a lot of discussion of this over at Photrio - here's one entry point:
Film Ferrania - Developments from October 2023 onward
Moto-Uno
Moto-Uno
I'm still waiting for my slide film !
CMur12
Veteran
I don't know how likely it is to ever happen, but I would sure like to see another producer of a quality color slide film!
- Murray
Sanug
Established
It seems to be the same person who owns Orwo/Wolfen (FilmoTec, InnovisCoat).
jake-seal.odoo.com
About Us | Jake Seal
Jake Seal is Dedicated to pioneering innovative storytelling in films, creating captivating experiences that resonate globally with audiences.
jake-seal.odoo.com
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Nitroplait
Well-known
I hope he is planning some sort of consolidation of resources/competences. Rather a few good films than many mediocre/bad variants.It seems to be the same person who owns Orwo/Wolfen (FilmoTec, InnovisCoat).
About Us | Jake Seal
Jake Seal is Dedicated to pioneering innovative storytelling in films, creating captivating experiences that resonate globally with audiences.
Freakscene
Obscure member
And as long as UN54 continues - it’s the closest tonally to Plus-X that still exists.
Jbennett68
Established
126 please and 620 please
brianentz
Member
Best wishes, Jack, and two thumbs up!
Mackinaw
Think Different
ChrisPlatt
Thread Killer
jszokoli
Well-known
For the Wolfen UN54 what developer works best to get results like Plus-X?
Joe
Joe
KoNickon
Nick Merritt
Did you notice how several of the links referred to the owner as "Jake Seal Orwo"? 
Let's hope this works out. (Why doesn't he go buy up FotoKemika (Efke) too?)
Let's hope this works out. (Why doesn't he go buy up FotoKemika (Efke) too?)
Pioneer
Veteran
Some investors aren't buying things with the intent to produce but to dismantle. I am afraid Mr. Seal may be looking to dismantle.
Freakscene
Obscure member
Xtol or D-76. I like them both 1+1. UN54 is not identical, and, tonally, in some ways T-Max 400 is more similar to Plus-X. But T-Max 400 is a lot faster (might be a good thing for you), harder to handle and builds contrast a lot more quickly if you get your development or exposure wrong.