The Mahmoud Kahil Award is an award program under the Rada and Mutaz Sawaf Center for Arab Comics Studies at the American University of Beirut that aims to promote comics, editorial cartoons and illustration in the Arab world through the recognition of the rich talent and reative achievement of comics artists, cartoonists and illustrators in the region.
The program was established in 2014 upon the initiative of Mr. Mu'taz Sawwaf to honor and perpetuate the legacy of the late Mahmoud Kahil, one of the leading cartoonists and caricaturists of the Arab World, and a former AUB graduate. An open call to submit artworks in the various categories of editorial cartoons, comics and illustration is launched annually. Winners are selected by an esteemed jury panel, and the winners are announced and honored at the annual awards ceremony.
The Awards:
Honorary Awards:
- The Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing an outstanding dedication and service for a minimum of 25 years in the fields of graphic arts and cartoons.
- The Comics Guardian Award, recognizing those who have extensively supported comics and cartoons in the Arab world through preserving, collecting, promoting, publishing, teaching or exhibiting this Art, and thereby contributing to the cultural heritage of the region.
Category Awards:
- Editorial Cartoons ($10,000)
- Graphic Novels ($10,000)
- Comics ($5,000)
- Graphic Illustrations ($5,000)
- Children’s Book Illustrations ($5,000)