Oscars 2026: Autumn Durald Arkapaw Becomes First Woman to Win Oscar for Cinematography
PTC News Desk: The 98th Academy Awards recently created
headlines not only for its big win but also for some significant achievements.
cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw etched her name into Oscar history,
becoming the first woman-and the first woman of color - to win the Academy
Award for Best Cinematography. Her groundbreaking win came for the visually
striking film Sinners.
Autumn
Durald Arkapaw Says, "I want all women..."
Arkapaw while receiving her award delivered
a heartfelt speech that quickly became one of the most memorable moments of the
night. With emotion in her voice, she called on women in the audience to rise
in recognition of their collective influence and support.
“I’m so honoured to be here,” she said. “I
want all the women in this room to stand up because I wouldn’t be here without
you all. I truly mean it.”
Her win marks a major milestone in Oscar
history. In the long-standing Best Cinematography category, only three women
had previously been nominated: Rachel Morrison for Mudbound in 2018, Ari Wegner
for The Power of the Dog in 2021, and Mandy Walker for Elvis in 2022. Arkapaw’s
victory now stands as a defining breakthrough in a field historically dominated
by men.
During her acceptance speech, Arkapaw
reflected on the support she had received throughout the awards season. She
shared that the encouragement from women across the industry played a crucial
role in her journey to the Oscar stage.
“I have felt so much love from all the
women on this whole campaign,” she said. “Moments like this happen because of
you guys, and I want to thank you for that.”
Arkapaw also expressed deep gratitude to
director Ryan Coogler, with whom she previously collaborated on Black Panther:
Wakanda Forever. She recalled how every time she thanked him, he would respond
with the same humility: “No, thank you for believing in me and for trusting
me.” Smiling, she concluded, “That’s the kind of guy that I get to make films
with.”
About
Sinners
The film Sinners has been widely praised
for its bold visual storytelling. One of its most talked-about sequences
unfolds inside a lively juke joint, blending movement, lighting, and atmosphere
into a cinematic spectacle. The movie was shot using both IMAX and Ultra
Panavision 70 formats, pushing the boundaries of modern filmmaking.
In another historic achievement, Arkapaw
became the first woman to shoot a film in large-format IMAX. Known for her
hands-on approach, she often operated the massive 65-pound camera herself
during production-an effort that underscores her dedication to the craft.
The film’s technical brilliance and
artistic ambition turned Sinners into one of the most talked-about films of the
year. Heading into the 2026 Oscars, it led the race with an impressive 16
nominations across major categories, cementing its place as a defining
cinematic achievement of the season.
- With inputs from agencies
