Chilean Oscar-winning director Sebastián Lelio dies aged 52
The Argentine-born filmmaker first gained international recognition for his film 'Gloria' and then won Chile's second Oscar with 2017's 'A Fantastic Woman' - which sparked a debate that helped change the law in Chile, allowing people to legally change their gender.
Chilean Oscar-winning filmmaker Sebastián Lelio passed away at the age of 52 on Friday, November 6th. His partner, Amalia Kassai, announced the news on Instagram, citing health reasons without specifying the cause of death. Lelio's legacy includes his groundbreaking film Una mujer fantástica, which won both an Oscar and a Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival.
The film, which starred trans actress Daniela Vega, sparked a crucial debate in Chile, ultimately leading to legal changes allowing gender reassignment. Lelio also directed other notable works such as Disobedience, Gloria Bell, and The Wonder. His final film, The Wave, a musical protest drama, premiered at Cannes in 2025. Chilean media reports that Lelio died at his home in Las Condes, Santiago.
Written by urgent.news from Euronews's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
