Autumn Durald Arkapaw won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography, making her the first woman, woman of color, and Filipina to take home the Oscar in that category.
The Filipino-American won the award for her cinematography on Sinners, which made history at this year’s Academy Awards with 16 nominations.
Arkapaw walked the stage to accept her award, beginning her speech by thanking Sinners director Ryan Coogler for his support and belief in her. Arkapaw also dedicated her speech to spotlighting the women working within the film industry. “I really want all the women in the room to stand up,” said Arkapaw, “because I [wouldn’t be] here without you guys.”
Arkapaw’s work on Sinners also made her the first woman to shoot on the large IMAX 65mm and Ultra Panavision formats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Autumn Durald Arkapaw won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography for her work on “Sinners,” directed by Ryan Coogler. The film received a record-breaking 16 nominations at this year’s Oscars.
Arkapaw became the first woman, first woman of color, and first Filipina to win Best Cinematography at the Academy Awards, marking a milestone for representation in the category.
Arkapaw thanked director Ryan Coogler for his support and asked women in the audience to stand, saying, “I [wouldn’t be] here without you guys,” dedicating her win to women in the film industry.
Arkapaw’s work on “Sinners” made her the first woman to shoot on the large IMAX 65mm and Ultra Panavision formats, both demanding, large-format film technologies.
“Sinners,” directed by Ryan Coogler, received 16 Academy Award nominations this year, a record-breaking total that made it one of the most nominated films of the ceremony.
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Mel Wang
Mel Wang is a culture writer specializing in film, television, and literature. She writes reviews, essays, and has profiled Hollywood actors such as David Corenswet and Steve Carell, director Jade Castro, and romance author Mina Esguerra.
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