Black Women Who Earned Oscar Nominations at the 2026 Academy Awards
Many of the nominations are connected to the film Sinners, which made history with 16 total nominations, the most ever for a single film at the Academy Awards.
Black women nominated in multiple major Oscar categories, including acting, cinematography, and costume design.
Sinners film makes history with 16 total Oscar nominations, the most ever for a single film.
Nominations highlight the powerful impact Black women continue to have across the film industry.
Source: Anadolu / Getty
Black Women Who Earned Oscar Nominations at the 2026 Academy Awards
March is Women’s History Month and the 2026 Academy Awards are highlighting the powerful impact Black women continue to have across the film industry. From acting to cinematography to costume design and documentary filmmaking, Black women are being recognized across multiple major categories this year.
Many of the nominations are connected to the film Sinners, which made history with 16 total nominations, the most ever for a single film at the Academy Awards.
Here are some of the Black women nominated at the 2026 Oscars.
Wunmi Mosaku
Wunmi Mosaku earned a nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Annie in Sinners. Her performance has been widely praised for its emotional depth and powerful screen presence, making her one of the standout performers of this year’s awards season.
Teyana Taylor
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Teyana Taylor received a Best Supporting Actress nomination for her role in One Battle After Another. The nomination continues her transition from music to acting and highlights her growing reputation as a serious talent in Hollywood.
Ruth E. Carter
Legendary costume designer Ruth E. Carter earned her fifth Academy Award nomination for Costume Design for Sinners. With this nomination she officially becomes the most nominated Black woman in Oscar history, continuing her legacy as one of the most influential costume designers in film.
Autumn Durald Arkapaw
Autumn Durald Arkapaw earned a nomination for Best Cinematography for Sinners. Her nomination is historic because she became the first woman of color ever nominated in the cinematography category, a field that has historically been dominated by men.
Zinzi Coogler
Producer Zinzi Coogler received a nomination for Best Picture as part of the producing team behind Sinners. The recognition highlights the impact Black women are having behind the scenes bringing major film projects to life.
Hannah Beachler
Hannah Beachler earned a nomination for Production Design for her work on Sinners. Beachler previously made history as the first Black woman to win an Oscar for Production Design and continues to break barriers in the field.
Christalyn Hampton
Christalyn Hampton received a nomination for Best Documentary Short Subject for the film The Devil Is Busy. Her work brings attention to the power of documentary storytelling and the importance of sharing impactful narratives.
Together these women represent a powerful moment for representation in Hollywood.
With Black women being recognized across acting, cinematography, costume design, producing, and documentary filmmaking, the 2026 Oscars could mark another historic chapter for Black women in film.
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