The global film community mourns the loss of Lili Hinstin, a celebrated artistic director whose impact on international film festivals was profound and far-reaching. Her passing at 48, following a battle with cancer, has led to an outpouring of tributes from colleagues and admirers worldwide. Hinstin was instrumental in shaping the artistic direction of significant events like the Locarno Film Festival and the Biarritz Nouvelles Vagues Film Festival, where her visionary approach and unwavering dedication to cinema earned her widespread respect. Her legacy is defined by a commitment to diversity, innovative curatorial practices, and a steadfast belief in the power of film to transcend boundaries and foster cultural understanding.

Hinstin’s career was marked by groundbreaking achievements, including becoming the first female artistic director of a major film festival at Locarno in 2018. She championed gender equality, significantly increasing the representation of female directors, and navigated the festival through unprecedented challenges like the pandemic with creative solutions. Her work extended beyond curating, encompassing film production and direction, reflecting a comprehensive engagement with the cinematic arts. Tributes consistently highlight her unique vision, intellectual curiosity, and ability to identify and nurture talent, underscoring her irreplaceable contribution to the world of independent cinema.

A Pioneering Vision in Film Curation

Lili Hinstin’s tenure as artistic director of the Locarno Film Festival was a landmark period, showcasing her pioneering spirit and dedication to cinematic innovation. Taking the helm in 2018, she became the first woman to lead such a prominent festival, a significant achievement that paved the way for greater gender diversity within the film industry's leadership. Under her guidance, Locarno not only maintained its reputation as a hub for groundbreaking cinema but also became a platform for advancing gender equality, notably by increasing the percentage of films directed by women to nearly 40% in her inaugural year. Her foresight and courage were further demonstrated during the global pandemic, when she conceived and launched “Locarno 2020 – For the Future of Films” and the “Films After Tomorrow” initiative, providing crucial support and visibility for filmmakers during an exceptionally challenging time for the industry.

Beyond her celebrated work at Locarno, Hinstin's influence extended to other prestigious events, including her role in elevating the Biarritz Nouvelles Vagues Film Festival to international prominence. Here, she cultivated a unique focus on films exploring youth themes, significantly contributing to the festival's identity and reach. Her career path was diverse, beginning with studies in foreign languages and literature in Paris and Padua, which informed her broad cultural perspective. She delved into film production early on, establishing Les Films du Saut du Tigre in 2001, and even made her directorial debut with "Le Zombie." Her commitment to cinema was also evident in her involvement with the Villa Medici Film Festival in Rome. These experiences collectively shaped a curator with a rare blend of artistic sensibility, intellectual rigor, and an unyielding commitment to fostering global cinematic talent.

An Enduring Legacy of Artistic Integrity and Support

Lili Hinstin's passing at a relatively young age has evoked deep sorrow across the international film community, as evidenced by the numerous heartfelt tributes from friends, colleagues, and industry professionals. Her unique blend of free-spiritedness, discerning taste, and profound commitment to cinema left a lasting impression on everyone she encountered. Jérôme Pulis-Etchevers, co-founder of the Nouvelles Vagues Festival, lauded her as a rare voice—a woman whose perspective, curiosity, and intelligence were unparalleled. He highlighted her singular vision for cinema, one that was both bold and generous, consistently evolving, and exceptionally adept at discovering and supporting creative works. This sentiment was echoed by Locarno organizers, who remembered her as a passionate cinephile, scholar, and curator whose audacious and curious vision paid close attention to filmmakers across all festival sections, particularly through her extraordinary retrospective of Black cinema and the pioneering 'Films After Tomorrow' initiative.

Her impact on a new generation of film programmers is particularly noteworthy, as celebrated producer Juliette Schrameck emphasized. Schrameck noted that Hinstin instilled in them guiding principles of modernity, a female gaze, and diversity, moving beyond mere buzzwords to fundamental tenets of curation. As one of the few women to lead an A-list festival for many years, Hinstin's integrity, open-mindedness, and distinctive charm made her an unforgettable figure whose programs consistently resonated with audiences and critics alike, whether in Belfort, Locarno, Biarritz, or at the Villa Medici. Her legacy is one of unwavering support for artistic expression, a tireless championing of diverse voices, and a profound belief in the transformative power of film, ensuring her influence will continue to inspire for years to come through the many lives and careers she touched.