Why Ryan Coogler Secretly Called Sinners “Grilled Cheese” During Filming

The Oscar-winning film Sinners is once again in the spotlight, but this time for a fun behind-the-scenes detail. During filming, director Ryan Coogler used a secret code name — “Grilled Cheese” — to refer to the movie. Now, cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw has revealed the reason behind this unusual choice.

Autumn Durald Arkapaw, who made history as the first woman to win the Oscar for Best Cinematography for her work on Sinners, shared this detail while speaking about her experience with E! News on the film. The big win happened at the 2026 Oscars, held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood and hosted by Conan O’Brien.

According to Autumn, the code name “Grilled Cheese” was part of Ryan Coogler’s playful and creative style. It helped keep things light on set while also maintaining privacy during production. Using fake names for films is a common practice in Hollywood, especially for big projects, but this one stood out because of its fun and simple nature.

During her emotional acceptance speech, Autumn also spoke about her working relationship with Ryan Coogler. She praised him for being a kind and respectful filmmaker. She said that whenever she thanked him, he would always reply with gratitude of his own.

She shared on stage, “Whenever I say thank you to Ryan, he replies and says, ‘No, thank you. Thank you for believing in me, and thank you for trusting me.’”

Autumn also took a special moment to honor women in the film industry. She asked all the women in the audience to stand and thanked them for their support throughout her journey. It was a powerful moment that showed how important teamwork and encouragement are in filmmaking.

The success of Sinners at the Oscars added even more attention to the film. Along with Autumn’s historic win, Michael B. Jordan also won Best Actor, and the film gained praise for its strong storytelling and visuals.

This behind-the-scenes detail about the code name gives fans a new look at how the film was made. It shows that even serious and award-winning movies can have fun and creative moments during filming.

With stories like this, Sinners continues to capture attention not just for its awards, but also for the unique and human moments behind the camera.