Cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw made history at the Oscars by becoming the first woman to win Best Cinematography for her film "Sinners". Her victory marks a significant step forward for women in the field of filmmaking, which has long been dominated by men.
At the 2026 Academy Awards, cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw made history by winning Best Cinematography for "Sinners." This victory marked the first time in Oscar history that a woman was honored in the cinematography category, and also made Arkapaw the first woman of color to win this prestigious award.
Arkapaw's moment on stage to receive the award was considered a significant milestone for the film industry. For decades, the cinematography category had been almost always dominated by men. Before Arkapaw, only three women had been nominated in this category: Rachel Morrison for "Mudbound" in 2018, Ari Wegner for "The Power of the Dog" in 2021, and Mandy Walker for "Elvis" in 2022. However, it wasn't until this year that a female cinematographer truly stepped onto the highest podium in this category.
Arkapaw steps onto the stage to receive the award. Photo: Reuters
Arkapaw is of Filipino and African American descent. With her Oscar win, she not only broke the "glass ceiling" in cinematography but also opened a new chapter in diversity within the film industry. The film "Sinners"—the work that brought her this historic victory—also marked significant advancements in cinematography techniques.
According to experts, Arkapaw was the first female cinematographer to use IMAX 65mm and Ultra Panavision for a feature film. These choices in imaging technology contributed to the impressive visual style of "Sinners," helping the film stand out in this year's Oscar race.
In her acceptance speech, Arkapaw thanked director Ryan Coogler, who entrusted her with the role of cinematographer for the project. "Thank you for believing in me, and he's someone I was very fortunate to work with on this film," she shared on stage.
In addition, Arkapaw also paid special tribute to her colleague Rachel Morrison, the cinematographer who made history by becoming the first woman to be nominated for an Oscar in this category. According to Arkapaw, the support and encouragement of women in the industry gave her extra motivation throughout her journey to the award.
"I've felt so much love from all the women in this campaign," she said. "Moments like this happen because of you, and I want to thank you for that."
After leaving the stage, Arkapaw continued to receive enthusiastic applause backstage. She said the strong support from the women present at the Dolby Theatre was one of the most memorable moments of the awards ceremony.
"Moments like this wouldn't happen without the women who stand up to protect and defend you," Arkapaw shared. "I know this happened because of them."
The cinematographer also emphasized that her victory was more than just personal. “Over the past few months, going through this whole process, I’ve realized that it takes a whole community for things like this to happen. But now, this isn’t just about me anymore. It means so much more.”
"Sinners" received 16 nominations and won in 4 categories.
Before stepping onto the Oscar stage, Arkapaw had been nominated for several important awards such as BAFTA, the British Society of Cinematographers, and the American Society of Cinematographers, but had not won any. Therefore, being named the winner at the Oscars was even more special.
In the cinematography category, Arkapaw beat out several notable competitors, including Adolpho Veloso with "Train Dreams", Michael Bauman with "One Battle After Another", Dan Laustsen with "Frankenstein", and Darius Khondji with "Marty Supreme".
"Sinners" also marks the second collaboration between Arkapaw and Ryan Coogler after "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever". Previously, Arkapaw shared that working with Coogler helped her better understand visual storytelling and how to convey emotions through the language of cinema.
One of the most talked-about segments of "Sinners" is the scene dubbed the "piercing the curtain." According to Arkapaw, this shot was initially constructed in a realistic style, then shifted to a surreal moment as the camera moved up to the burning roof, before returning to a vast outdoor landscape before the story continued.
The film "Sinners" also garnered attention at this year's Oscars, receiving 16 nominations, setting a record for the number of nominations for a single work. The film was nominated in many important categories such as Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor for Michael B. Jordan, Best Supporting Actress for Wunmi Mosaku, Best Supporting Actor for Delroy Lindo, and several other technical categories.
With Autumn Durald Arkapaw's victory, this year's Oscars not only recognize a personal achievement but also mark a significant step forward for women in filmmaking – one of the most inaccessible professions in the film industry.