Film Festival Director Lili Hinstin Passes Away at 48

Lili Hinstin, a prominent film festival programmer and director, has died. She passed away on March 31 at the age of 48. Hinstin made history as the first woman to lead a Category A festival, specifically the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland. Her career was dedicated to cinema programming and festival leadership. The news was reported by Le Monde on April 2, 2026. Hinstin's death represents a significant loss in the international film festival community, where she was recognized for breaking gender barriers in high-level festival administration. Her work at Locarno and other festivals contributed to the global cinematic landscape. No cause of death was provided in the initial report.