Autumn Durald Arkapaw Makes History at the Oscars with Best Cinematography Win
A Historic Achievement at the 98th Academy Awards
Cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw has etched her name in history by becoming the first woman to win the Oscar for Best Cinematography at the 98th Academy Awards. Her remarkable achievement for the film Sinners marks a significant milestone in the nearly century-long history of this category. While accepting her award at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, Arkapaw took a moment to honor the women who have supported her throughout her journey. She encouraged all the women present to stand, acknowledging their vital role in her success.
"I’m so honored to be here and I really want all the women in the room to stand up," she expressed during her acceptance speech. "Because I feel like I don't get here without you guys." She further conveyed her appreciation for the encouragement she received from women during the awards season.
Arkapaw emphasized the importance of female representation in the industry, noting that prior to her win, only three women had received nominations for Best Cinematography: Rachel Morrison for Mudbound in 2018, Ari Wegner for The Power of the Dog in 2021, and Mandy Walker for Elvis in 2022. This year, her work on Sinners stood out among formidable contenders such as Frankenstein, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, and Train Dreams.
In her speech, she also recognized Rachel Morrison's groundbreaking contributions and expressed gratitude to Sinners director Ryan Coogler for believing in her vision. "That’s the kind of guy I get to make films with," she remarked, praising Coogler's trust in her abilities.
Sinners was one of the standout films of the evening, entering the ceremony with an impressive 16 nominations and ultimately winning several awards, including Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Score, and Best Actor for Michael B. Jordan, in addition to Arkapaw’s historic cinematography win.
Earlier in the night, Coogler, while accepting the award for Best Original Screenplay, delivered a heartfelt speech thanking his wife Zinzi Coogler, their children, and his parents. "Sev Ohanian and Zinzi Coogler, you guys are the best producers in the world, and Zinzi, you are the best wife and mom in the world," he stated. "Every day I get to spend with you is better than the one that came before it," he added.
Sinners secured four major awards, including Ryan Coogler for writing (original screenplay), Ludwig Goransson for music (original score), Autumn Durald Arkapaw for cinematography, and Michael B. Jordan for actor in a leading role.