The Business Oscar-nominated cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw on ‘Sinners’
Feb 20, 2026
Autumn Durald Arkapaw, Academy Award–nominated cinematographer known for high-profile films, discusses her work on Sinners and her career arc. She talks about transforming a 16mm concept into an IMAX spectacle. She reflects on the strain as production moves away from Los Angeles and the scarcity of meaningful opportunities for women in film.
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From Indie Sets To Blockbuster Breakthrough
- Autumn Durald Arkapaw traced her path from music videos and indie films to Marvel's Loki and then Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
- Those jobs opened the door to Ryan Coogler's original film Sinners and larger-scale studio opportunities.
Family Support Kept Her On Set
- Autumn accepted Loki while juggling family and a newborn by arranging schedules and support from her network.
- Her parents moved to California to help so she and her husband (also a DP) could manage shoots and family life.
Location Shifts Strain LA Crews
- Autumn warns that production leaving Los Angeles strains crews and families and wastes local technical talent.
- She hopes the industry returns more shoots to California to preserve skilled crews and reduce travel burdens.