Autumn Durald Arkapaw is having a landmark year in Hollywood, and her work on “Sinners” has placed her firmly in film history. The acclaimed cinematographer recently opened up about her journey, her favorite moments from filming, and what’s next with director Ryan Coogler.
In an interview with Variety’s Awards Circuit Podcast, Arkapaw shared how emotional the awards recognition has been. She became the first woman of color ever nominated for an Oscar for Best Cinematography, a moment she described as unreal.
She also received major honors from BAFTA, the British Society of Cinematographers, and the American Society of Cinematographers. Autumn Durald Arkapaw said the celebrations have been ongoing since the film’s April release, and she is still taking time to truly process the moment.
The success of “Sinners” did not stop there. The film earned a record-breaking 16 Oscar nominations, setting a new high and marking a huge achievement for the entire creative team.
This project was Arkapaw’s second collaboration with Ryan Coogler, and their partnership is far from over. She confirmed that the two will reunite again for Coogler’s upcoming “The X-Files” reboot, and they have also begun early talks about “Black Panther 3.” Autumn Durald Arkapaw recalled first noticing Coogler years ago at a café before they ever met, calling it a quiet but memorable moment that later came full circle.
Before “Sinners,” Arkapaw worked on projects like “The Sun Is Also a Star,” “Mainstream,” and Marvel’s “Loki.” She revealed that she was once recommended to shoot “Creed,” but the opportunity did not work out at the time due to studio concerns about her experience. Years later, that setback turned into motivation.
Filming “Sinners” brought major technical challenges. Autumn Durald Arkapaw became the first female cinematographer to shoot using IMAX 65mm and Ultra Panavision 70, calling weather issues during the New Orleans summer shoot the hardest part. Her favorite shot came from the powerful church scene, which she says felt like stepping back into the 1930s once costumes and production design came together.
She also revealed that the first day of filming featured blues legend Buddy Guy, who appears in the film’s end-credit scene. Arkapaw described the day as high-pressure but unforgettable, especially since two rare film formats were used together for the first time.
More than a decade after being named one of Variety’s 10 Cinematographers to Watch, Autumn Durald Arkapaw has now secured her place in Oscar history, with even bigger projects already on the horizon.
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