Sebastián Lelio, Oscar-winning Chilean director, dies at 52

Chilean director Sebastián Lelio has died at the age of 52 at his home in Las Condes, Santiago, according to various reports. His death occurred while he was filming the adaptation of Alejandro Zambra's novel "Poeta chileno."

Lelio, internationally recognized for his work, won the Oscar for Best International Feature Film in 2018 for "A Fantastic Woman," a film that portrays the life of a transgender woman and her struggles against discrimination.

The news of his passing was confirmed by his family, who indicated it was due to unspecified health reasons. On her Instagram account, his partner also mentioned the reasons for his death, though without going into details.

Aside from his recognition for "A Fantastic Woman," Lelio also received the Goya and other awards throughout his career, establishing himself as one of the most influential Ibero-American filmmakers today. His previous film, "Gloria," was also acclaimed and opened doors for him internationally.

Reactions to his death have flooded social media, where fellow filmmakers and fans have expressed their sadness and paid tribute to his legacy in cinema. His narrative style and the depth of his characters made him a prominent figure in contemporary film.

Sebastián Lelio was born in Argentina but grew up in Chile, where he developed his filmmaking career. His work has been instrumental in elevating the profile of Chilean cinema on the global stage.