At the 98th Academy Awards, Autumn Durald Arkapaw made history.
The New Zealand-born cinematographer behind “Sinners,” directed by Ryan Coogler, became the first woman — and the first woman of color — to win the Oscar for Best Cinematography during the ceremony held March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
Her richly textured 35mm visuals, blending practical firelight with deep blues for the film’s vampire twins, helped define the visual identity of the movie, which entered the night with 16 nominations and ultimately secured four Academy Awards.
Following her win, Arkapaw spoke with reporters in the press room about the significance of the moment.
“It’s tricky because when you go up there, you have so much to say, especially after 98 years,” she said. “There’s so much in your head and you’re like, ‘Are they going to kick me off? Can I say all this stuff?’”
One thought stayed with her throughout the evening.
Autumn Durald Arkapaw poses backstage with the Oscar® for Cinematography during the 98th Oscars® at Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 15, 2026. 
Michael B. Jordan and Autumn Durald Arkapaw backstage during the 98th Oscars® at Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 15, 2026. 
Autumn Durald Arkapaw backstage with the Oscar® for Cinematography during the 98th Oscars® at Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 15, 2026.
“One thing I had written down was that a lot of little girls who look like me will sleep really well tonight because they’ll want to become cinematographers,” she said. “And I know that…just being on stage, getting this award for a movie like that will change so many girls’ lives because they’ll be inspired when they weren’t before.”
For Arkapaw, the moment was not only personal but also symbolic. For young filmmakers watching, particularly women, she said the path forward begins with visibility.
“I heard Karen O say it once at a concert,” she explained. “She said, ‘You have to see you to be you.’”
She credited the environment created on the set of “Sinners” for allowing women to lead creatively.
“Ryan gives us, the women on this film who are heads of department, those opportunities to shine and be ourselves,” she said. “We work in a creative environment where we’re leading, we’re strong, we have power. He trusts us. That doesn’t happen very often.”
Arkapaw also acknowledged cinematographer Rachel Morrison, who recommended her for the project.
“I knew that if this was going to happen, it was going to happen with someone like him,” she said.
Looking out at the audience and later at the reporters gathered in the press room, Arkapaw said the moment belonged to more than one person.
“Moments like this don’t happen without women standing up for you and advocating for you,” she said. “I’ve learned over the past few months that it takes a village to make something like this happen.”
She paused before adding what the win ultimately represents.
“This isn’t about me anymore,” she said. “It’s about so much more. I wanted it for all the ladies in the room, and I wanted it for all the girls at home.”
This story has been edited for clarity.