The American Film Institute has presented the 2026 Franklin J. Schaffner Alumni Medal to Academy Award winner Autumn Durald Arkapaw ASC (AFI Class of 2009).
The Schaffner Alumni Medal recognises the “extraordinary creative talents of AFI alumni who embody the qualities of filmmaker Franklin J. Schaffner”.
Durald Arkapaw made history when she became the first woman to win the Academy Award for Best Cinematography for her work on Ryan Coogler’s Sinners.
Accepting the Medal, she said: “AFI is where I learned how to believe in my gut, to appreciate those people around me who wanted to story-tell in new ways.
“There’s such a beautiful power that comes with finding your community.”
The DP received the award on Saturday 18 April, during a Gala Tribute in Hollywood for star Eddie Murphy, who was presented with the AFI Life Achievement Award.
Byron Allen, Martin Brest, Jerry Bruckheimer, Colman Domingo, David Alan Grier, Walter Hill, Jaafar Jackson, Keegan-Michael Key, Sugar Ray Leonard, Nia Long, Joe Piscopo and more filled the Dolby Theatre to celebrate Murphy’s “award-winning career and his significant impact on the moving arts”.
The event began with welcome remarks from Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO, and featured tributes honouring Murphy, including speeches from Belle Aykroyd on behalf of her father Dan Aykroyd, Bill Burr, Dave Chappelle, Arsenio Hall, Kevin Hart, Martin Lawrence, Eva Longoria, Tracy Morgan, Mike Myers, Judge Reinhold, Chris Rock, Kenan Thompson, Robert Townsend and Stevie Wonder, as well as a performance from Jennifer Hudson with a house band led by Rickey Minor.
In presenting the award, Spike Lee said: “Eddie and I have Brooklyn in our blood. However, Eddie and I took different paths. Eddie made us laugh and made our nation feel better. I took a camera and told stories about how our nation could be better. We both push culture forward. We’re still not even done.”
Murphy accepted the award to a standing ovation. In his acceptance speech, he said, “Looking out and seeing all my family, all my kids and my beautiful wife, seeing all the different people that I worked with, this is a special moment. I’d like to thank everybody for this night that I will remember forever and ever.”
The event concluded with attendees receiving an exclusive commemorative tribute book about Murphy’s career, and raised over $2.5 million, with all proceeds from the AFI Life Achievement Award supporting the American Film Institute as a nonprofit organisation.
