Filipina cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw makes Oscar history with 'Sinners'
Manila Times
23 January 2026
MANILA, Philippines — Cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw has entered Oscar history as the first Filipina and the first woman of color nominated for best cinematography.
Arkapaw was nominated for her work on the 2025 horror film “Sinners,” directed by Ryan Coogler, which led all films this year with a record 16 Academy Award nominations. Her recognition places her in a category that has long excluded women, with only three ever nominated and none having won.
Arkapaw, born in Oxnard, California, and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, is of Filipino descent on her mother’s side and African American Creole on her father’s. She follows Rachel Morrison as only the second woman nominated in the category and Matthew Libatique as the second Filipino nominee.
Her work on “Sinners” was already historic even before awards season. Arkapaw became the first female cinematographer to shoot a feature film on large-format IMAX 65mm and Ultra Panavision 70, formats typically reserved for big-budget epics and rarely helmed by women.
Reflecting on the nomination, Arkapaw told Variety, “To have other people, like young girls and boys see you out there, speaking about what you do and showing them that it matters, that’s been really fun. I thought how special it would be for in the future someone to look up this nomination, because I’m the fourth woman. And I know the ones that came before me.”
She said attending the Oscars with her son will make the moment even more meaningful.
“My son can go because he’s that age. So that’s going to be fun for me, just seeing his reaction to all of this, and just seeing his little face react to all of this stuff. Because, you know, when we make these films, I have to be away. And I think for him to see what that culminates to is really special,” she added.
Arkapaw studied art history at Loyola Marymount University and later graduated from the AFI Conservatory’s cinematography program in 2009. She began her career in advertising and as a camera assistant before moving into feature films. In 2022, she was invited to join the American Society of Cinematographers, one of the industry’s most prestigious professional organizations.
Though often behind the camera, Arkapaw has spoken about the importance of visibility in filmmaking. She told Vogue Philippines in a previous interview, “We know there will be black and brown girls and boys who see themselves in us, looking for inspiration. If we approach our work with care, it can help light the way for someone else’s journey, and to me, that’s truly beautiful.”
The 98th Academy Awards ceremony will take place on March 15 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles.
No comments:
Post a Comment