Filipina Cinematographer Makes Oscar History

In a historic moment for Hollywood, Autumn Durald Arkapaw has earned an Oscar nomination for best cinematography for her work on Ryan Coogler's film 'Sinners'. This nomination makes her the first woman of color to be recognized in this category. Arkapaw's achievement comes in a field where no woman has ever won an Oscar for cinematography, with only three women having been nominated previously.

Arkapaw, who is of Filipino and Creole descent, views her nomination as an opportunity to open doors for greater representation in cinematography. She stated that it is incredibly meaningful when aspiring filmmakers, especially those with similar backgrounds, express gratitude for seeing someone like themselves in such a role.

Collaborating with director Ryan Coogler, Arkapaw highlighted his commitment to elevating women, particularly women of color, in key creative positions. She noted that 'Sinners' featured several department heads who are women of color, including costume designer Ruth E. Carter, production designer Hannah Beachler, and hair designer Shunika Terry, all of whom also received Oscar nominations. Arkapaw emphasized Coogler's strong belief in his team's talent.

Her previous work on Gia Coppola's 'Palo Alto' in 2013 also garnered significant attention, leading to her inclusion on Variety's 2014 10 Cinematographers to Watch list. Arkapaw's current Oscar nomination cements her status as a pioneering figure in the film industry.