SIFFORUM | Kering and the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival Once Again

15 June 2026, Shanghai – As the Official Co-Creation Partner of the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF), global luxury group Kering once again joined hands with the festival to successfully co-host the SIFFORUM centered on the theme “Creativity in Motion,” the forum gathered four filmmakers from different countries, active in producing, directing, editing, and acting, for a dialogue exploring how the experience of transcending geographical, professional, and creative boundaries shapes unique artistic expression.

From left: Laurent Claquin, Chief Brand Officer of Kering, Dora Bouchoucha, film producer and member of the Golden Goblet Awards Main Competition Jury for the 28th SIFF (Tunisia), veteran actress Cecilia Yip (Hong Kong China), Carla Gutiérrez, film director, editor, and member of the festival’s Golden Goblet Awards Documentary Competition Jury (Peru), emerging actress Rebecca Li (China), Tong Ying, Deputy Managing Director of Shanghai International Film & TV Events Center

The distinguished panel featured: Dora Bouchoucha, film producer and member of the Golden Goblet Awards Main Competition Jury for the 28th SIFF (Tunisia) ; Carla Gutiérrez, film director, editor, and member of the festival’s Golden Goblet Awards Documentary Competition Jury (Peru); alongside veteran actress Cecilia Yip (Hong Kong China) and emerging actress Rebecca Li (China).

The dialogue began with how personal experiences fundamentally influence creative paths, delving into core issues such as the shared “zeitgeist” across different cultural backgrounds, the challenges and nourishment derived from multiple identities, and the courage to break out of comfort zones at various life stages. The guests shared insights from navigating diverse roles and cultural contexts throughout their careers, reflecting on the evolution and constancy of their core creative traits from their beginnings to the present. Concluding with the essence of the theme “Creativity in Motion,” they discussed the industry conventions and aesthetic standards most in need of challenge within the current global film ecosystem. This cross-generational dialogue carries forward legacy and fosters renewal, embodying hopes for the power of the future. The forum showcased the creative vitality of women in film, who keep reinventing themselves and embrace diverse possibilities with an open mindset.

This forum stands as a centerpiece of Kering's role as the Official Co-Creation Partner of the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival. Beyond this, the partnership also presented the Kering Special Screening Program. Through six international films focusing on multiple perspectives and individual growth, the program continued to celebrate creative spirit, interpreting distinctive personal style and self-transformation.

Laurent Claquin, Chief Brand Officer of Kering, stated: “At Kering, we firmly believe creation is one of the most powerful vectors for change. We are honored to renew our partnership with the Shanghai International Film Festival to shine a spotlight on outstanding female filmmakers with a global vision and nurture diverse, open dialogue across the industry. ‘Creativity in Motion’ resonates perfectly with Kering signature ‘Creativity is our Legacy’. It also embodies our shared commitment: to empower creators who dare to cross boundaries and view the world through unique lenses, and let their talents reach wider audiences.”

“Today we are gathered here at the Cathay Theatre, a century-old landmark cinema. Much like Kering, it is an enterprise built across generations with a rich cultural heritage,” said Tong Ying, Deputy Managing Director of Shanghai International Film & TV Events Center, in her speech. “Kering has a deep and enduring connection with the film industry. For this forum, our two sides have jointly invited a group of remarkable female filmmakers — women who have dared to break conventions, blaze new trails, and expand their creative boundaries across diverse professional realms. Their stories are sure to inspire us all.”

From left: Andrew Liang (China) actor and host, Dora Bouchoucha, film producer and member of the Golden Goblet Awards Main Competition Jury for the 28th SIFF (Tunisia), veteran actress Cecilia Yip (Hong Kong China), Carla Gutiérrez, film director, editor, and member of the festival’s Golden Goblet Awards Documentary Competition Jury (Peru), emerging actress Rebecca Li (China)

Panelist Bios

Dora Bouchoucha

Dora Bouchoucha is a Tunisian film producer. She has produced and co-produced several award-winning documentaries, short and feature films. Films she produced include HEDI (2016), DEAR SON (2018), and SAFE EXIT (2026). She founded the SUD ECRITURE workshops in 1997, which she has been running since. She is actively involved in training and promotion for southern cinema. She was head of Carthage Film Festival in 2008, 2010 and 2014, and Manarat Film Festival in 2018 and 2019. She received a career achievement award at Gouna Film Festival and Luxor African film festival in Egypt, Salé festival in Morocco and Med Film Festival in Rome in 2018. She is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and Vice President of the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris.

Carla Gutiérrez

Carla Gutiérrez is an Emmy winning and Eddie nominated filmmaker. Her directorial debut FRIDA (2024), about iconic Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, premiered at Sundance where it won the prestigious Oppenheim Award for Best Editing. FRIDA was shortlisted for the Academy Awards for Best Documentary and received three Emmy nominations, one of which Carla won for Outstanding Director. Carla’s extensive work as an editor includes the Oscar nominated films RBG (2018), about Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and LA CORONA (2008). She also edited JULIA (2021), about renowned chef Julia Child. Carla’s work has received awards at Sundance, Tribeca, Berlinale, the Critic’s Choice Awards, the National Board of Review Awards and the DuPont Columbia Awards. She has been a creative adviser for the Sundance Edit Lab and is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the American Cinema Editors. She received a Master in Documentary Film from Stanford University.

Cecilia Yip

Cecilia Yip, a veteran actress from Hong Kong, China, received a nomination for Best New Performer at the 2nd Hong Kong Film Awards for her debut film. She won the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actress twice — for Let's Make Laugh at the 3rd Hong Kong Film Awards and This Thing Called Love at the 11th Hong Kong Film Awards — and claimed Best Supporting Actress for Beyond the Sunset at the 9th Hong Kong Film Awards. In 2023, she earned her first nomination for the Golden Rooster Award for Best Supporting Actress for her outstanding performance in Love Never Ends. Over the past four decades, her work in film and television has been widely beloved by audiences.

Rebecca Li

Rebecca Li is an emerging Chinese actress and a graduate of the University of the Arts London. Her debut feature film, Over the Sea, was selected for the New Currents section at the Busan International Film Festival. In 2023, she received a Best Actress nomination in the Asian New Talent section of the Shanghai International Film Festival for her outstanding performance in Love My Way. In 2025, Li appeared in the feature film Trapped and the television series The Narcotic Operation. In the same year, the film Guo Ran, in which she starred, was selected for the Tiger Competition at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, as well as the Hidden Dragon section of the Pingyao International Film Festival.