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Oscar-winning Chilean filmmaker Sebastian Lelio, known for A Fantastic Woman and The Wonder, has died at 52 following health complications.
Oscar-winning filmmaker Sebastian Lelio dies at 52
Some filmmakers leave behind more than just movies. They leave behind stories that touch hearts, make people think and stay with them long after the film ends. Chilean filmmaker Sebastian Lelio was one such storyteller. Known for films like A Fantastic Woman and The Wonder, Lelio earned love and respect across the world for the stories he brought to life.
The Oscar-winning director passed away at the age of 52. According to Deadline, Lelio died last Friday in Santiago, Chile. His death was confirmed by his partner, Amalia Kassai, through a social media post.
Local media reports said that the filmmaker was found dead at his home. Kassai shared that he had died “following health complications”. Announcing the heartbreaking news, she wrote, “With great sadness, we announce the death, following health complications, of Chilean filmmaker Sebastián Lelio. We are going through a time of profound grief, and his memory will remain with us forever. He was a wonderful person who made significant contributions to Chilean culture at important moments in its history. As a family, we ask for privacy and consideration during these difficult time,”
Soon after the news broke, tributes began pouring in from people who remembered Lelio and his contribution to cinema.
The Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) also shared a heartfelt tribute on its official Instagram page. The festival remembered his films, his storytelling and the special place he held in the filmmaking community.
Its post read, “We mourn the loss of Sebastian Lelio, who was a dear member of our filmmaking community. In 2013, his feature “Gloria” celebrated its world premiere at the festival, earning Paulina García the Silver Bear for Best Actress. Four years later, “A Fantastic Woman” premiered in Competition, winning the TEDDY AWARD and the Silver Bear for Best Screenplay for Sebastian Lelio. The film later made history as the first Chilean film to win the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and became a landmark work in the portrayal of trans characters on screen. In 2019, Sebastian Lelio returned to the Berlinale as a member of the International Jury. His visionary storytelling, empathy, and dedication to cinema and LGBTQ stories have left a lasting mark on filmmakers and audiences around the world. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and collaborators,”
Sebastian Lelio was known for telling stories that gave women a strong voice. His films often explored their lives, emotions and struggles, making audiences look at the world from a different point of view. One of his biggest achievements came with A Fantastic Woman in 2017. The film won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film and became the first Chilean film to receive the honour. It also had a memorable run at the Berlin Film Festival, where it won three awards, including the TEDDY AWARD and the Silver Bear for Best Screenplay.
Lelio also directed The Wonder, a psychological thriller released in 2022. The film starred Florence Pugh as Lib Wright, an English Nightingale nurse. Set in 1862, it went on to receive a BAFTA nomination for Outstanding British Film of the Year.
Quick Answers
Ask News18Sebastian Lelio passed away at the age of 52 in Santiago, Chile, following health complications.
Ask News18November 10, 2026, 18:17 IST
