An organizer of film, theater and dance festivals in various regions of the country, Istanbouli received the award along with French-Tunisian independent researcher and sound director Hajer Ben Boubaker, during a gala at UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris.

In the award certificate, the international jury highlighted Istanbouli’s leadership in the rehabilitation of historic cinema in Lebanon, including Stars Cinema in Nabatieh and Al-Hamra and Rivoli in Tyre, abandoned or destroyed during the civil war (1975-1990).

The jury also highlighted his involvement in several international projects on skills’ enhancement, youth empowerment and collaborative partnerships.

At the same time, they also highlighted the foundation of the Arab Culture and Arts Network in 2020 to design and implement activities in the region, including more than 700 member organizations and individuals from around the world.

Director and founder of the Lebanese National Theater in Tyre and Tripoli, Istanbouli has promoted various projects from the Tyre Association for the Arts in the country since 2014.

The UNESCO-Sharjah Prize has been granting two awards a year since 1998 to individuals, groups or institutions as a acknowledgement of their contribution to Arab art and culture.

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