CAPI

history

In 1894, C.A.P. Ivens opened a photography shop in Nijmegen. This was eventually followed by other branches, including one in Amsterdam. The business name CAPI was formed by the founder’s initials.

In the late 1920s, CAPI’s Amsterdam branch was the centre of Dutch avant-garde film. Pivotal within this group of young, artistic filmmakers was Joris Ivens, the son of CAPI’s founder.

The filmmakers made use of CAPI’s offices, and CAPI was also the producer of Joris Ivens' first films.