Oscar-winning Chilean filmmaker Sebastian Lelio dies at 52

Chilean filmmaker Sebastián Lelio, best known for the Oscar-winning drama *A Fantastic Woman*, has died in Santiago aged 52. His family announced his death on Friday, citing health reasons but giving no further details. The film’s portrayal of a transgender woman helped bring international recognition to Lelio’s work and Chilean cinema.

Lelio won the 2018 Academy Award for best international film for *A Fantastic Woman*, starring transgender actress Daniela Vega; it was Chile’s second Oscar. His other films included *Gloria*, *The Wave*, *The Wonder* and *Disobedience*, and he worked with actors including Julianne Moore, Rachel Weisz and Florence Pugh. He had begun filming *Poeta Chileno*, based on a novel by Alejandro Zambra, in September.