Ikigai Film Lab

How did this place come about and what made it different from the start?

Ikigai Film Lab began as a passion project importing Japanese film stocks that weren’t available in Australia. When we moved into running a lab, we focused on doing things properly, with an emphasis on quality, consistency, and respect for photographers’ work. It was built by people who shoot film themselves, with an emphasis on craft rather than scale.

What part of the day, space, or creative process do those who work here enjoy the most?

The most enjoyable part is the moment when everything comes together, film being processed correctly and knowing the work is appreciated. There’s a lot of satisfaction in the quiet, hands-on parts of the day.

If someone is coming in for the first time, what should they not miss?

Most of what we do happens behind the scenes. Film processing is something most people never get to see, and we want to eventually start showing more of that process!

What has been an interesting challenge that has made you rethink something about the project?

One of the biggest challenges has been scaling without losing what made the lab special in the first place. As more people trusted us with their work, we had to rethink workflows, not to move faster, but to stay consistent and maintain quality. It reinforced that growth only matters if quality isn’t compromised.

What influence, idea or reference continues to guide what you do today?

The idea of "ikigai" still guides how we work. Enjoying the process, taking pride in the details, and doing things properly even when no one’s watching. It’s a reminder to focus on the craft, what we’re passionate about, and let the results speak for themselves.

What place, project, or person has inspired you recently and why?

We’re constantly inspired by the photographers who trust us with their work. Seeing the variety of projects that come through the lab is a constant reminder that film is still being used in thoughtful, intentional ways.

If your space could invite someone to collaborate for a day, who would it be and what would you do together?

Bob Shanebrook, author of Making Kodak Film. We’d just talk about film all day. No work.

Is there an object, corner or detail of the place that has a story that few people know?

There are a lot of small, unglamorous details that carry the most history, mostly bits of gear that have been repaired and modified over time. Our first processor handled our first 100,000 rolls and needed plenty of work along the way.

If this project were a city, a book, or a record, which would it be and why?

City: Tokyo. Quietly efficient, detail-driven, and built on systems that only really make sense once you spend time inside them.

Book: Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life. Showing up every day, caring about the process, and taking pride in small, repeatable details. That mindset still underpins how the lab runs.

Record: In Rainbows. Not that deep, we just like Radiohead!

Respuestas por Peter Davison, fundador de Ikigai Film Lab.