Oscars: Mudbound's Rachel Morrison first woman nominated for best cinematography

Rachel Morrison has broken new ground for female filmmakers.

Upon the 2018 Oscar nominations announcement Tuesday morning, the Mudbound director of photography became the first woman nominated by the Academy for best cinematography — a category that has been dominated by men across the last 89 ceremonies.

“While it’s hard to believe that this ceiling has taken so long to break, I am absolutely humbled and thrilled to receive this great honor,” Morrison said in a statement on Oscar nominations morning. “I hope this nomination serves to encourage more women to throw a camera over their shoulder or to follow their dream no matter how distant it might appear.”

In the weeks leading up to her monumental nod, Morrison blazed a trail through the precursor circuit, picking up victories and/or nominations from the New York Film Critics Circle, the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, and the Broadcast Film Critics Association.

The American Society of Cinematographies similarly heralded Morrison’s work on the film among a set of nominees that matched the Oscars’ 2018 class 100 percent.

Morrison will compete against Blade Runner 2049‘s Roger Deakins, The Shape of Water‘s Dan Lausten, Darkest Hour‘s Bruno Delbonnel, and Dunkirk‘s Hoyte van Hoytema.

Directed by Dee Rees, the historical drama — starring Garrett Hedlund, Carey Mulligan, Jason Mitchell, Rob Morgan, Jason Clarke, and supporting actress nominee Mary J. Blige — traveled the festival circuit late last year, additionally becoming Netflix’s first fiction title to score multiple Oscar nominations outside the documentary categories.