Sebastián Lelio, Oscar-Winning Director of ‘A Fantastic Woman,’ Dies at 52

Chilean director Sebastián Lelio dies at 52; found at home in Santiago

Sebastián Lelio, the Chilean filmmaker celebrated for the Oscar-winning drama A Fantastic Woman, has died at the age of 52. Local outlet Emol reported that his body was discovered on Friday, November 6, at his home in Santiago. Authorities and family have not released a specific cause of death, describing it as related to a health issue. His partner, actress-director Amalia Kassai — who appears in Lelio’s most recent film, the Cannes-screened protest musical The Wave — found him and later posted a statement on Instagram asking for privacy as the family grieves.

A brief statement from his partner

In a message translated from Spanish, Kassai said the family was experiencing “much pain” and requested discretion during this difficult time. She praised Lelio’s contribution to Chilean culture and indicated that those close to him would be observing the family’s wishes for privacy.

Major works and international recognition

Lelio rose to global prominence with A Fantastic Woman, which won the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film in 2018. The film, notable for its sensitive portrayal of a trans woman and for bringing Daniela Vega to international attention, is widely regarded as a milestone in contemporary trans representation; Vega worked closely with Lelio during the film’s development.

Before that breakthrough, Lelio earned acclaim for Gloria (2013), a late-life romantic comedy that won Paulina García the Silver Bear for Best Actress at the Berlin International Film Festival. Lelio later remade Gloria in English as Gloria Bell (2018), with Julianne Moore taking on the role originated by García and John Turturro co‑starring. In 2017 he directed Disobedience, a tender, transgressive romance between two Orthodox Jewish women, starring Rachel McAdams and Rachel Weisz; the film premiered at TIFF and received North American distribution from Bleecker Street.

Other notable entries in his filmography include The Year of the Tiger (2011), which screened at Locarno, Navidad (2009), which played Cannes, and his debut feature, The Sacred Family, which premiered at the San Sebastián International Film Festival.

Style and influences

Critics and audiences have pointed to a playful, often colorful sensibility in Lelio’s work, one that blends humor and emotional intimacy. In the 2022 Sight & Sound poll he cited favorites such as La Dolce Vita, Playtime, The 400 Blows and Singin’ in the Rain — titles whose influence can be seen across his varied films, from intimate character studies to formally adventurous pieces.

Later projects, collaborators and unfinished work

Lelio frequently worked with Chilean producers Pablo Larraín and Juan de Dios Larraín, who produced nearly all of his features and were involved with his latest efforts. His longtime cinematographer was Benjamín Echazarreta.

At the time of his death, Lelio was reportedly in production on Chilean Poet, an adaptation of Alejandro Zambra’s novel that Viking published in 2022. He had also recently completed The Wave, which debuted out of competition at Cannes in 2025; the film — a musical set against a rising feminist movement on a university campus — received positive notices on the festival circuit and had a limited release earlier this year from Wolfe Video.

After the pandemic, Lelio expanded his collaborators for The Wonder, an adaptation of Emma Donoghue’s novel co-written with Donoghue and Alice Birch. Starring Florence Pugh as a British nurse investigating a supposed miracle in Ireland, that film screened at Telluride and later appeared on Netflix to generally strong reviews.

Background and rise in cinema

Born in Argentina, Lelio moved to Chile with his mother at the age of two. He studied at Chilean Film School and began his career with short films and music videos before moving into features. Early festival recognition — from San Sebastián to Cannes and Locarno — helped establish him as one of Chile’s most prominent directorial voices.

His films often centered on shifting identities and intimate, character-driven narratives; A Fantastic Woman in particular is credited with shifting public conversation about trans people in Chile as well as gaining acceptance from an international awards community.

Box office and distribution notes

Disobedience, distributed in the United States by Bleecker Street after its TIFF premiere, grossed roughly $3.5 million domestically during its theatrical run. Gloria received U.S. distribution through Roadside Attractions and appeared on many critics’ best-of lists for 2013. A Fantastic Woman’s Oscar win amplified Lelio’s profile worldwide and opened additional opportunities to work with international casts and producers.

(Reporting on this story will continue as more information becomes available.)

Similar Posts

• Alamo Drafthouse Premieres Exclusive Films: Butthole Surfers Doc Leads the Charge!
• Power Outage Strikes Cannes Film Festival: Event Disrupted
• At Cannes: Filmmakers Reveal Secrets to Funding Culturally Rich Films!
• Cannes 2026 Hot Picks: ‘Paper Tiger,’ ‘The Devils’ 4K, ‘Minotaur’ Snapped Up Early!
• AI Revolution in Film: Can We Preserve Cinema’s Soul While Adapting?

Claude Merritt

Claude Merritt explores the world of entertainment with a keen eye. From music to film, TV series, and popular culture, he covers celebrity news and American cultural trends with a lively and critical approach.