In a historic moment for global cinema, Autumn Durald Arkapaw has become the first woman to win the Academy Award for Best Cinematography. The 46-year-old American cinematographer was honoured for her exceptional work in director Ryan Coogler’s film Sinners at the 98th Academy Awards.

Her win marks a significant milestone in the history of the Oscars, a category that has long been dominated by male cinematographers.

A historic breakthrough in cinematography

Before Arkapaw’s win, only three women had ever been nominated in the Best Cinematography category.

In 2018, Rachel Morrison became the first woman nominated for her work on Mudbound. She was later followed by Ari Wegner for The Power of the Dog and Mandy Walker for Elvis.

Arkapaw also made history earlier by becoming the first woman of colour to receive a nomination in the category, paving the way for greater representation in the field.

For the 2026 Oscars, Arkapaw competed against notable cinematographers including Michael Bauman (One Battle After Another), Dan Laustsen (Frankenstein), Darius Khondji (Marty Supreme), and Adolpho Veloso (Train Dreams).

Pushing technical boundaries in filmmaking

Sinners was already considered a groundbreaking project in the industry even before the Oscars win. The film became notable because no woman had previously shot a movie on IMAX film, making Arkapaw’s achievement even more remarkable.

Arkapaw explained in an earlier interview that representation plays a key role in inspiring the next generation of filmmakers.

“I heard a phrase that said you need to see you to be you,” she said. “The more women shoot on large formats, the more it will inspire younger girls to believe they can do it too.”

The cinematographer used a combination of IMAX film and Ultra Panavision 70, a rare format famously revived by director Quentin Tarantino for The Hateful Eight.

Journey from photography to Hollywood recognition

Originally from Northern California, Arkapaw studied art history at Loyola Marymount University before enrolling at the American Film Institute, where she pursued cinematography after developing a passion for photography.

Her previous work includes Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, The Last Showgirl, and even a music video for Rihanna, showcasing her versatility across different visual storytelling formats.

While preparing to shoot Sinners on IMAX film, Arkapaw also sought advice from renowned cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema, known for his work on Oppenheimer. His encouragement helped her approach the project with confidence despite the technical challenges of large-format filmmaking.

With this groundbreaking win, Arkapaw’s achievement is expected to inspire a new generation of women cinematographers across the world.