Autumn Durald Arkapaw won the 2026 Oscar for Best Cinematography, becoming the first woman and first Black person to do so.

Autumn Durald Arkapaw made history at the 2026 Oscars by becoming the first woman and first Black person to win the Academy Award for Best Cinematography for her work on "Sinners." She is also the first woman of color to win in the category and the first female cinematographer to shoot a major film using IMAX 65mm and Ultra Panavision cameras. Her visual work on the supernatural thriller, directed by Ryan Coogler, earned widespread acclaim for its striking lighting, composition, and immersive aesthetic. The win marks a milestone in the historically male-dominated field, following only three prior female nominations in the category.