Lili Hinstin: A Pioneering Force in Film Festival Programming

Lili Hinstin, the influential artistic director of the Locarno Film Festival and Biarritz’s Nouvelles Vagues Film Festival, has passed away at the age of 48 after a battle with cancer. Hinstin was a trailblazer in the film festival circuit, becoming the first female artistic director of a major festival when she took the helm at Locarno in 2018.

Variety MagazineLili Hinstin is dead Former artistic director of the Locarno Film Festival has died

Born in 1977 in France, Hinstin studied foreign languages, literatures, and civilizations in Paris and Padua, Italy. She began her career in film production, founding Les Films du Saut du Tigre in 2001 and producing works by various directors. Hinstin also directed a documentary titled “Le Zombie,” focusing on her grandfather, Charles Hinstin. Before leading Locarno, she curated the Cinéma du réel festival in Paris and the EntreVues Belfort International Festival.

Variety MagazineLili Hinstin is dead Former artistic director of the Locarno Film Festival has died

During her tenure at Locarno from 2018 to 2020, Hinstin significantly impacted the festival landscape. She increased the representation of female directors, achieving nearly 40% of selections in 2019. Hinstin also adapted the festival to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, launching the "Locarno 2020 – For the Future of Films" initiative and the "Films After Tomorrow" program, which provided support to filmmakers during the crisis. Her leadership was marked by a commitment to diversity and innovation in programming.

Lili Hinstin is dead Former artistic director of the Locarno Film Festival has died

The Locarno Film Festival expressed gratitude for Hinstin's contributions, highlighting her "audacious and curious vision" and her role in creating an extraordinary retrospective of Black cinema. Ava Cahen, artistic director of Cannes’ Critics Week, praised Hinstin's passion and knowledge, stating, "So many of us admired her — her choices, her convictions, her knowledge, her passion." French producer Juliette Schrameck noted Hinstin's mastery in programming and her influence on a generation of artistic programmers, emphasizing her unique charm and integrity.

Variety MagazineLili Hinstin is dead Former artistic director of the Locarno Film Festival has died

While Hinstin's contributions were widely celebrated, her departure from the Locarno Film Festival in September 2020 was marked by strategic differences with the festival's leadership. This aspect of her career reflects the complexities and challenges faced by women in leadership roles within the film industry.

Lili Hinstin is dead Former artistic director of the Locarno Film Festival has died

• “Her integrity, open-mindedness, and unique charm made her a radiant and unforgettable figure,” she said.” — Juliette Schrameck, French Producer

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Hinstin is survived by her 16-year-old son and her family, including her brother Leo Hinstin, a cinematographer. Her legacy in film programming and advocacy for gender equality in cinema will continue to influence future generations of filmmakers and festival directors. Tributes from the film community reflect a deep appreciation for her contributions and the lasting impact she made on the industry.

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