Lili Hinstin

Lili Hinstin lit up every room she entered with her infectious laugh and boundless enthusiasm for life. Born on January 1, 1978, she approached each day as a new beginning, much like the fresh starts she championed in her beloved film festivals. Friends and family will forever remember her for her warm hugs, her ability to find beauty in the smallest details, and her remarkable talent for making everyone feel seen and valued. Whether she was organizing film screenings or hosting dinner parties, Lili brought people together with her genuine kindness and her knack for creating moments that lingered in the heart long after they passed. Her passion for cinema was more than just a career—it was a calling. As the artistic director of the Locarno Film Festival and the Entrevues Belfort Film Festival, Lili had an extraordinary gift for discovering and nurturing emerging talent. She believed deeply in the power of storytelling to connect us across cultures and experiences. Colleagues often marveled at how she could spend hours discussing a single frame of film, her eyes sparkling with the same wonder she had as a child watching her first movies. But what made Lili truly special was how she balanced her professional brilliance with her devotion to family and friends. She was the sister who remembered every birthday, the daughter who called her parents daily just to check in, and the friend who showed up with soup when you were sick. Lili found joy in life's simple pleasures—morning walks along the Seine, handwritten letters, and impromptu dance parties in her living room. She collected vintage cameras and loved nothing more than capturing candid moments of her nieces and nephews at play. Her garden was her sanctuary, where she grew roses with the same patience and care she extended to everyone in her life. Those closest to her knew that behind her professional accomplishments was a woman who treasured Sunday family dinners, who kept every drawing her godchildren made for her, and who never missed an opportunity to tell someone how much they meant to her. Though the world has lost a visionary in cinema, we have lost something far greater—a soul whose love knew no bounds. Lili's legacy lives on in the films she championed, the artists she mentored, and the countless lives she touched with her generosity and warmth. She taught us to embrace life's adventures, to find beauty in unexpected places, and to always, always make time for the people we love. As her family gathers to celebrate her remarkable journey, we find comfort knowing that Lili's spirit will continue to inspire us, just as her favorite films continue to move audiences long after the final credits roll. She may have left this world on April 1, 2026, but her light will forever shine in our hearts.