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Oscar-winning Chilean filmmaker Sebastián
Lelio dies at 52
[November 07, 2026]
SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — Oscar-winning Chilean filmmaker Sebastián
Lelio, whose acclaimed drama “A Fantastic Woman” broke ground with its
portrayal of a transgender woman, has died in Santiago, Chile, at 52.
His family announced his death Friday in an Instagram post, citing
health reasons but not specifying the cause. |
Sebastian Lelio, winner of the award for best foreign language film for
"A Fantastic Woman", poses in the press room at the Oscars in Los
Angeles on March 4, 2018. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File) |
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“His memory will remain forever among us,” the family said. “He
was a beautiful person who contributed to Chilean culture in
great moments of its history.”
Lelio won the 2018 Academy Award for best international film
(formerly known as foreign language film) for “A Fantastic
Woman," starring trans actress Daniela Vega as a waitress and
nightclub singer whose life is torn by the death of her
boyfriend.
It was Chile's second Academy Award, following the animated
short “Bear Story” in 2016.
Lelio’s other films include "Gloria," "The Wave," "The Wonder,"
“Disobedience,” and “The Year of the Tiger.” Throughout his
career, he collaborated with Julianne Moore, Rachel Weisz and
Florence Pugh.
Lelio had begun filming “Poeta Chileno” (Chilean Poet) based on
the book by Alejandro Zambra in September.
He was born in the Argentine city of Mendoza and moved to Chile
at the age of 2. He studied journalism for a year before
enrolling at the Chilean Film School.
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