Faded Kodak — Free Film Emulation LUT
A warm, slightly faded film emulation inspired by Kodak stock — lifted shadows, gentle grain character, and rich mid-tone warmth. Free for DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro, Final Cut, and CapCut.
Film stock has a character that digital footage doesn't get by default. Kodak in particular is known for its warm mid-tones, slightly lifted shadow structure, and the way it handles skin — rich without being oversaturated. This LUT emulates that look.
What it looks like
Shadows lift to a warm brown-grey, preventing true blacks and giving the image that "printed on film" quality. Mid-tones are pushed toward golden-warm, and highlights have a slight yellow-cream roll-off rather than clipping to pure white. Saturation is slightly elevated in the warm spectrum (reds, oranges, yellows) while blues and greens are kept in check. The result is the feeling of a well-exposed Kodak 500T or Portra frame — analogue warmth with modern sharpness.
What it's good for
- Retro and nostalgic content — immediately evokes a film-shot aesthetic
- Portrait and lifestyle — warm, flattering skin tones without over-processing
- Music videos and narrative — adds depth and richness that feels earned, not synthetic
- Social media — unique against the sea of over-processed digital grades
- Any natural light footage — plays beautifully with daylight and golden hour
How to use it
Download the .cube file and apply it in your editor:
- DaVinci Resolve → Color page → LUTs panel → right-click to import
- Premiere Pro → Lumetri Color → Creative → Look → Browse
- Final Cut Pro → Effects → Custom LUT → assign the file
- CapCut → Adjust → LUT → import
This LUT layers well. Try applying it at 80% strength and adding a subtle film grain overlay on top for a complete analogue look. In DaVinci, the Grain effect in the OpenFX panel works perfectly for this.