Fil-Am Cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw Made Oscars History For 'Sinners'—And Had Every Woman In The Room Standing

It's another major Pinoy pride moment for us on Hollywood's biggest stage. Filipino-American cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw just made history at the 98th Academy Awards, a.k.a. the Oscars, taking home Best Cinematography for her work on Sinners.

The win is a huge deal—as in, historic. Autumn is officially the first woman, the first woman of color, and the first woman of Filipina heritage to ever win the Oscar for Best Cinematography. ICYDK, the category has been around for nearly a century, which makes the milestone feel both long overdue and seriously worth celebrating.

As Autumn stepped onto the stage, she acknowledged the community that helped make the milestone possible, especially women in the industry.

"I'm so honored to be here," she said. "I really want all the women in the room to stand up, because I feel like I don't get [to be] here without you guys." Moments later, women across the audience rose to their feet in support, drawing cheers from the crowd.

"I have felt so much love from all the women on this whole campaign," she continued. "Moments like this happen because of you guys, and I want to thank you for that." She also gave a shoutout to the cast and crew of Sinners, recognizing the team who "worked their hearts out" to bring the film to life.

Autumn's win also highlights just how rare recognition has been in this category. Only three women had ever been nominated before her: Rachel Morrison for Mudbound (2017), Ari Wegner for The Power of the Dog (2022), and Mandy Walker for Elvis (2023). That context makes this moment even more meaningful—and yes, it absolutely deserves a standing ovation.

Filipino audiences have an extra reason to celebrate, too. Autumn is of African American Creole descent on her father's side and Filipino heritage on her mother's, making her historic win another reminder that Filipino creatives continue to leave their mark on global storytelling.

Her cinematography credits include Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) and the Marvel series Loki (2021-2023). Sinners also marks her second collaboration with director Ryan Coogler.

Set in 1930s Mississippi, Sinners blends blues music, supernatural elements, and themes about cultural identity and the lasting influence of Black art. Critics had already been praising the film’s striking visuals long before the Oscars, with Autumn earning nominations from the BAFTAs, Critics Choice Awards, and the American Society of Cinematographers. The Academy win simply sealed the deal. 

Autumn previously shared with Los Angeles Times that the story resonated deeply with her, especially its themes about heritage and legacy. "When I read the story, it felt very close to home," she said. "There's a lot of meaning in it, and you want to make your ancestors proud."

Mission accomplished. Congratulations, Autumn! 🎬✨