The Chilean cinema world is in mourning following the death of filmmaker Sebastián Lelio, the Oscar-winning director of ‘Una mujer fantástica,’ who passed away this Friday at the age of 52. The internationally acclaimed director was found dead at his home in the Las Condes commune of Santiago, Chile’s capital, according to multiple local media reports.
Lelio’s family confirmed his death in a statement, attributing it to “motives of health.” The statement, shared on social media by his partner, actress Amalia Kassai, expressed deep sorrow and celebrated his life and contributions. “We are going through a moment of great pain and his memory will remain forever among us. He was a beautiful person who contributed to Chilean culture at great moments in its history,” the family wrote, urging respect for their privacy during this difficult time. Chile’s Public Prosecutor’s Office has confirmed an investigation into the death, with the head of the Flagrancy unit, Jorge Reyes, leading the inquiry.
A Trailblazing Career for Chilean Cinema
Born on March 8, 1974, in Mendoza, Argentina, Lelio moved to Chile with his family at the age of two.
His journey to acclaim began with his debut feature, ‘La sagrada familia’ (2005).
The first major breakthrough for Lelio on the global stage came with ‘Gloria’ (2013), a film starring Paulina García. The performance earned García the Silver Bear for Best Actress at the Berlin International Film Festival, significantly raising Lelio’s international profile.
An Oscar-Winning Triumph
The pinnacle of Lelio’s career arrived with ‘Una mujer fantástica’ (2017), starring Daniela Vega. The film tells the story of a transgender woman’s struggle to defend her dignity against discrimination. It was a landmark achievement, winning the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2018—the first time a Chilean production had ever won in that category. “We are Chileans, we like to act in a pack,” Lelio famously said upon accepting the Oscar alongside much of his team.
This Oscar win catapulted Lelio into the upper echelons of international filmmaking. He subsequently expanded his career with English-language productions, including ‘Disobedience’ (2017) with Rachel Weisz and Rachel McAdams, ‘Gloria Bell’ (2018) with Julianne Moore, and ‘The Wonder’ (2022) starring Florence Pugh, which was his first project with Netflix.
Film Project Left Unfinished
At the time of his death, Lelio was actively working on his next film, ‘Poeta chileno,’ an adaptation of Alejandro Zambra’s novel. According to Infobae, production on the film had begun. It remains unclear how his passing will impact the future of the project.
His recent filmography included ‘La ola’ (2025). The film premiered last year at the Cannes Film Festival, in the non-competitive Cannes Premiere section, and divided critics.
The production company that accompanied Lelio for much of his career also paid tribute, calling him “a storyteller whose sensitive and brave gaze marked Chilean cinema and transcended borders.”
