The 98th Academy Awards, which took place on March 15 2026, marked a historic event when Autumn Durald Arkapaw won the Oscar for Best Cinematography, making her the first woman to achieve this honour. Her work on Ryan Coogler’s supernatural thriller Sinners not only amazed viewers and critics but also broke through almost 100 years of racial and gender restrictions in Hollywood’s most prestigious category.
Arkapaw’s victory is a landmark for the film industry. The Best Cinematography award at the Academy has existed for 98 years, but no woman has ever won this award throughout its entire history. Arkapaw, who has Filipino and Black Creole heritage, achieved her accomplishment, which improves the representation of women behind the camera. Her recognition comes after decades of advocacy for greater diversity in technical fields within the entertainment industry.
Her achievement relied on advanced technical methods throughout its execution. Arkapaw became the first female cinematographer to use large-format IMAX 65mm and Ultra Panavision 70 cameras for Sinners, her debut as director of a complete feature film. The film’s haunting, immersive visuals were widely credited with elevating the supernatural narrative and capturing the Academy’s attention.
During her powerful acceptance speech, Arkapaw invited all the women in the room to stand, declaring, “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them.” She paid special tribute to Rachel Morrison, the first woman ever nominated in the category, acknowledging the trail she blazed for others to follow.
Arkapaw triumphed over a distinguished field, including Dan Laustsen (Frankenstein), Darius Khondji (Marty Supreme), Michael Bauman (One Battle After Another), and Adolpho Veloso (Train Dreams). Her historic win marks a new era for the Oscars and sets a precedent for future generations of cinematographers.
