Trending Now - First Woman Wins Best Cinematography at Oscars in 98 Years

WHO:

Autumn Durald Arkapaw, cinematographer of the film *Sinners*

Ryan Coogler, writer-director of *Sinners*

Ellen Kuras, pioneering cinematographer mentioned in Arkapaw's speech

Rachel Morrison, first woman nominated for Best Cinematography in 2018

Mandy Walker, first female president of the American Society of Cinematographers

Jessica Lee Gagné, first woman to win the best cinematography Emmy for *Severance*

Rina Yang, first Asian woman to join the British Society of Cinematographers

WHAT:

Autumn Durald Arkapaw won the Oscar for Best Cinematography, becoming the first woman and the first woman of color to achieve this in the category's 98-year history.

In 2016, only 5% of major Hollywood releases had a female cinematographer; in 2025, this number increased to 7%.

The American Society of Cinematographers had only 18 women among its 390 members as of 2019.

Films with at least one woman director employed 71% of women as writers, 28% as editors, and 22% as cinematographers, compared to 11%, 19%, and 5% respectively for films with male directors.

WHERE:

The Academy Awards, location unspecified in the articles

American Society of Cinematographers, founded in 1919

WHEN:

The Oscar ceremony took place in 2026.

The first woman was nominated for Best Cinematography in 2018.

The American Society of Cinematographers was founded in 1919.

WHY:

The historical lack of recognition for women in cinematography is attributed to a male-dominated industry and hiring practices.

HOW:

Arkapaw's acceptance speech included a call for women in the room to stand up, acknowledging their contributions to her success.

Ryan Coogler has a history of working with female cinematographers on all his films, promoting diversity in technical roles.

(UPDATED March 16, 2026 05:36 UTC)

At the Academy Awards this year, Autumn Durald Arkapaw made history by winning the Oscar for Best Cinematography, becoming the first woman and the first woman of color to achieve this in the category's 98-year history. In her acceptance speech, she acknowledged the contributions of women in the industry and called for them to stand up, highlighting the progress made since only 5% of major Hollywood releases featured a female cinematographer in 2016. Ryan Coogler, who has consistently worked with female cinematographers, continues to advocate for diversity in technical roles, reflecting a growing recognition of women's contributions in a historically male-dominated field.