The Georgia Latino International Film Festival (GALIFF) will present its Legends of Georgia – CEO of the Year Award to Lou Sobh, founder and CEO of Lou Sobh Auto Group, during the festival's 15th anniversary opening night celebration on Wednesday, September 30, at Atlanta's historic Fox Theatre. The award highlights extraordinary business leadership, entrepreneurial achievement, community impact, and a legacy that has helped shape Georgia's economic and cultural fabric. By honoring Sobh, GALIFF underscores the vital role Latino entrepreneurs play in the state's prosperity and signals that their stories are integral to Georgia's history.
Born in Torreón, Coahuila, Mexico, Sobh arrived in the United States with his family as a teenager. With limited resources, he learned business through hard work, family support, and hands-on experience. He went on to build an automotive enterprise that stands among Georgia's most notable Latino-owned business success stories. Today, Lou Sobh Auto Group is a family-owned company that has served customers for more than 30 years. Its dealerships represent major automotive brands and have built a reputation for customer service, family values, and community involvement, with the next generation of the Sobh family now in leadership roles.
Sobh's legacy extends well beyond the showroom. Throughout his career, he has made giving back part of how he does business, supporting schools, charities, community organizations, and educational initiatives. Lou and Georgia Sobh have also been recognized for significant philanthropic support of the University of Georgia. This commitment to community demonstrates that business success and social responsibility can go hand in hand, setting an example for future Latino entrepreneurs.
"The Legends of Georgia Award was created to honor people who did more than build successful companies. They helped build Georgia, and Lou Sobh is exactly that," said Dr. Jose Marquez, co-founder and CEO of the Georgia Latino Film Alliance. "Generations of Latino entrepreneurs need to know that stories like Lou's are part of Georgia's history. It is our privilege to recognize him as our CEO of the Year."
"Lou Sobh's journey reminds us that true success is not measured only by the business you build, but by the doors you open, the people you lift and the legacy you leave behind," said Yvette Moise, co-founder and president of the Georgia Latino Film Alliance. "His story shows what becomes possible when opportunity meets determination."
Sobh will be honored in front of filmmakers, business leaders, artists, community leaders, dignitaries, and special guests as GALIFF opens its 15th anniversary festival, themed "La Quinceañera" after the traditional celebration of a 15th birthday. For fifteen years, GALIFF has given Latino filmmakers, artists, entrepreneurs, and emerging voices a platform, while celebrating the leaders who have opened doors for future generations. The festival runs from September 30 to October 4, 2026, with opening night at 7 PM at the Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA. Tickets and festival information are available at galiff.org.
The recognition of Sobh comes at a time when Latino-owned businesses are among the fastest-growing segments of the U.S. economy. By celebrating a figure like Sobh, GALIFF not only honors individual achievement but also amplifies the importance of Latino contributions to Georgia's business landscape and creative economy. The festival's 15th anniversary, made possible by sponsors including The Fox Theatre, VensureHR, Olé Mexican Foods, and others, reflects a growing commitment to supporting Latino storytelling and entrepreneurship. As GALIFF continues to provide a platform for emerging voices, Sobh's story serves as a powerful reminder that determination and community support can lead to extraordinary success. For more information, visit NOTICIAS NEWSWIRE.
