Hugo Gélin was born to Xavier Gélin on May 4, 1980.[1][3] His grandparents are Daniel Gélin and Danièle Delorme.[1][4] His aunts and uncles are actors Maria Schneider, Manuel Gélin and Fiona Gélin. He made two brief appearances as a child actor, and later started working as an assistant director and camera operator. He directed his first short in 2001 and his first feature film in 2012.[3]