Academy Award®-nominated cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw, ASC (AFI Class of 2009) will receive the Franklin J. Schaffner Alumni Medal, which will be presented at the upcoming American Film Institute (AFI) Life Achievement Award Gala Tribute to Eddie Murphy on April 18, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
The Schaffner Alumni Medal recognizes the extraordinary creative talents of AFI Conservatory alumni who embody the qualities of filmmaker Franklin J. Schaffner: talent, taste, dedication and commitment to quality storytelling in film and television. Past recipients include Darren Aronofsky, Lesli Linka Glatter, Siân Heder, Patty Jenkins, Janusz Kamiński, Mimi Leder, Matthew Libatique, David Lynch, Terrence Malick, Melina Matsoukas and Rachel Morrison.
“Autumn Durald Arkapaw is one of our generation’s defining voices in the art of visual storytelling,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO. “She’s immersed us in the world of Sinners and Black Panther, and now AFI is honored to shine the light upon her–celebrating her impact on the art form and the pride she brings us as a graduate of the AFI Conservatory.”
Last month, Durald Arkapaw received an Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography for Sinners (2025), the most Oscar®-nominated film in history. The film, a period drama with a supernatural twist, was written, produced and directed by Ryan Coogler and marks a major milestone as the first film to combine Ultra Panavision 70 and IMAX Film formats, and the first film shot by a female cinematographer in 65mm and IMAX. She was awarded Best Cinematography for the film at the New York Film Critics Circle and the National Board of Review, along with nominations from the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) and British Society of Cinematographers awards.
Among her other recent works, The Last Showgirl (2024), directed by Gia Coppola, premiered at TIFF and garnered critical acclaim. The film earned a Golden Globe nomination for Pamela Anderson, who stars alongside Jamie Lee Curtis and Dave Bautista.
Durald Arkapaw held the role of director of photography on Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), directed by Coogler. The sequel grossed over $800 million worldwide. She also directed and shot Rihanna’s last music video, “Lift Me Up,” from the Wakanda Forever soundtrack, which received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song. Also, for Marvel Studios, Durald Arkapaw lensed the acclaimed first season of Loki, directed by Kate Herron. Released on Disney+ in June 2021, the series premiered to the highest ratings in the platform’s history. She earned an Emmy® nomination for Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series (One-Hour) for her work on the series.
She became a member of the ASC in 2022. That same year, Durald Arkapaw made history as the first woman of color featured on the cover of American Cinematographer magazine for her work on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Collaborating with a range of esteemed filmmakers, Durald Arkapaw has lensed for Spike Jonze on Apple TV+’s Beastie Boys Story and the Netflix comedy special Aziz Ansari: Right Now, which was shot on 16mm film. She also lensed Max Minghella’s Teen Spirit, starring Elle Fanning.
Beyond narrative work, Durald Arkapaw’s filmmaking extends to music videos, having shot projects for Arcade Fire, The Weeknd, Jonas Brothers, Solange and Haim.
Durald Arkapaw earned her MFA in Cinematography at AFI Conservatory in Cinematography 2009.
