Cinematographer, Autumn Durald Arkapaw, has made film history after becoming the first woman ever to win the Oscar for Best Cinematography at the 98th Academy Awards.
The groundbreaking win came for her work on the visually striking supernatural drama Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler. Her achievement marks a significant milestone for the film industry, breaking a barrier that has stood since the category was first introduced nearly a century ago.
Durald Arkapaw’s atmospheric cinematography helped shape the haunting tone of the film, which blends horror elements with themes of identity, racism, and freedom in the American South.
Read: Sinners Wins Four Oscars at the 98th Academy Awards
A Historic Moment for Women in Cinematography
For decades, the Academy’s Best Cinematography category has been dominated by male filmmakers. Before Durald Arkapaw’s win, only three women had ever been nominated for the prestigious award. These include Rachel Morrison for Mudbound in 2018, Ari Wegner for The Power of the Dog in 2021, and Mandy Walker for Elvis in 2022.
Durald Arkapaw not only became the first woman to win the category, but she is also widely recognised as the first woman of colour to achieve the feat, reflecting the growing diversity within modern filmmaking.
The cinematographer, who is of Filipino and African American Creole heritage, has built a reputation for bold visual storytelling throughout her career. Her work on Sinners stood out for its dark, immersive imagery and its innovative use of large-format cameras.
Industry observers have also highlighted her technical achievement as one of the first female cinematographers to shoot a film using IMAX 65mm and Ultra Panavision cameras, creating a visually powerful cinematic experience.
Emotional Speech Celebrates Women in Film
During her acceptance speech at the ceremony held at the iconic Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Durald Arkapaw delivered one of the most memorable moments of the night.
Instead of focusing solely on her own accomplishment, she used the moment to celebrate women across the film industry. She asked all the women in the audience to stand up, acknowledging their support and contributions to filmmaking.
‘I want all the women in the room to stand up because I feel like I wouldn’t be here without you,’ she said, drawing loud applause from the crowd.
Durald Arkapaw also expressed gratitude to director Ryan Coogler, describing him as a filmmaker who encourages collaboration and trust on set. The pair previously worked together on the Marvel blockbuster, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which helped establish their creative partnership.
Her speech resonated strongly with audiences and was widely praised for highlighting the collective efforts of women working behind the scenes in cinema.
Read: Oscars 2026: Ryan Coogler Wins Best Original Screenplay for Sinners
Sinners Dominates the 2026 Oscars Conversation
The film, Sinners, entered the 2026 Oscars as one of the most talked-about productions of the year. The genre-blending vampire drama received a record 16 nominations, the highest ever for a single film in Academy Awards history.
Alongside Durald Arkapaw’s cinematography win, the film also picked up several other major awards, including Best Original Screenplay for Ryan Coogler and Best Original Score.
Durald Arkapaw’s historic win is already being viewed as a turning point for the cinematography field. For many filmmakers and aspiring cinematographers, the moment signals that long-standing barriers in the industry are beginning to shift.
Her achievement not only recognises her technical skill and artistic vision but also highlights the growing presence of women in roles traditionally dominated by men. With more filmmakers advocating for diversity behind the camera, the success of Durald Arkapaw may inspire a new generation of cinematographers to pursue careers in visual storytelling.
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