History was made at the 98th Academy Awards when cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw won the Oscar for Best Cinematography for her work on Sinners, becoming the first woman ever to win the award in the nearly century-long history of the category.

The milestone victory marks one of the defining moments of the night for the record-breaking film directed by Ryan Coogler, which entered the ceremony with an unprecedented 16 nominations — the most ever for a single movie in Academy Awards history.

Durald Arkapaw’s work on Sinners was widely praised throughout awards season for its atmospheric beauty and emotional depth. Her cinematography creates a visual language that balances haunting supernatural imagery with intimate character moments, helping shape the film’s eerie tone and sweeping narrative scale.

From shadow-filled interiors to expansive, cinematic landscapes, Durald Arkapaw’s camera work plays a central role in establishing the film’s immersive world. The visual style enhances the story’s blend of horror, history and drama while grounding the performances of stars Michael B. Jordan, Delroy Lindo, and Wunmi Mosaku.

Even before her win, Durald Arkapaw’s nomination was historic. She became the first Afro-Filipina cinematographer and the first woman of color ever nominated in the category, further underscoring the barriers her achievement helps break.

Cinematography has long been one of the most male-dominated craft categories in Hollywood, with only a handful of women ever nominated prior to this year. Durald Arkapaw’s win represents a major shift for the industry and a powerful moment of recognition for women behind the camera.

For Sinners, a film already rewriting Oscar history with its sweeping nominations and wins, the cinematography award highlights one of its most visually striking achievements — and marks a landmark victory that will reshape the category’s legacy for years to come.