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 recognition places Sobh among a select group of business leaders whose work has shaped Georgia’s economic and cultural landscape, and it underscores the growing visibility of Latino-owned enterprises in the state.
Sobh’s path from Torreón, Coahuila, Mexico, to leading one of Georgia’s most notable Latino-owned automotive groups illustrates a broader narrative that GALIFF aims to amplify. He arrived in the United States as a teenager with his family and limited resources, learning business through hard work, family support and hands-on experience. Today, Lou Sobh Auto Group is a family-owned company that has served customers for more than 30 years, representing major automotive brands and building a reputation for customer service, family values and community involvement. The next generation of the Sobh family is now in leadership roles, signaling continuity for the enterprise.
The award’s significance extends beyond one company’s success. As Georgia’s Latino population grows, stories like Sobh’s offer a counterpoint to narratives that overlook the community’s contributions to the state’s economy. His legacy includes philanthropy that supports schools, charities, community organizations and educational initiatives. Lou and Georgia Sobh have also been recognized for significant philanthropic support of the University of Georgia, reinforcing the idea that business leadership can translate into broad civic investment.
“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.”
Yvette Moise, co-founder and president of the Georgia Latino Film Alliance, added, “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. His story shows what becomes possible when opportunity meets determination.”
Sobh will be honored before an audience 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 provided a platform for Latino filmmakers, artists, entrepreneurs and emerging voices while celebrating leaders who have opened doors for future generations. The opening night event will be held at 7 p.m. at the Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA, with the festival running from September 30 to October 4, 2026. Tickets and festival information are available at galiff.org.
The timing of the award is notable. As Georgia’s creative economy expands, GALIFF’s decision to honor a CEO alongside filmmakers and artists reflects a deliberate effort to connect entrepreneurship with cultural storytelling. By recognizing Sobh, the festival highlights how Latino business success can serve as both a subject and a catalyst for broader representation. The 15th anniversary, framed as a quinceañera, marks a coming-of-age moment for an event that has grown alongside the community it serves.
For media interested in covering opening night or requesting an interview with Lou Sobh, GALIFF has directed inquiries to Manny Portillo. The festival’s 2026 sponsors and partners include The Fox Theatre as presenting sponsor, along with VensureHR, Olé Mexican Foods, Fulton Films, 222Creative, Women in Film and Television Atlanta, Georgia Films, DeKalb Entertainment Commission, Omni Hotels, HispAtlanta, Radio Rumba, Cinefi, 11Alive News and others. The support reflects a network of organizations invested in Latino storytelling and Georgia’s growing creative economy. The award thus carries implications beyond a single honor: it signals that Latino business leadership is being woven into the state’s mainstream cultural narrative, and that GALIFF intends to keep that story visible.
