First Cousins: Cajun and Creole Music in South Louisiana is a documentary being made by the Istre sisters from Lafayette.

The documentary was started in 2008, and has been a continuing dream for the Istre sisters. They are looking to raise $150,000 by the end of August so that they can finish the film.

Here's what the sisters have to say about the documentary:

Bonjour! We are the "Istre sisters" from Lafayette, Louisiana, and we are directing  a documentary film very near and dear to our hearts called First Cousins: Cajun and Creole Music in South Louisiana. This film explores the rich musical heritage of the region’s French-speaking people who have shared tunes, borrowed instruments, and danced in each other’s arms for generations. In private moments and in packed dancehalls, many of the region’s most beloved musicians reveal the passion they share for music and family.

Since we started this project nearly 8 years ago in December 2008, we have estimated over $150,000 from in-kind donations from professionals including musicians, artists, audio engineers, videographers, photographers, actors, and scholars.  These amazing people generously donated countless hours and remarkable talents to get this dream off the ground. Every single person involved with this film shared their invaluable skills as a LABOR OF LOVE! Not a single person requested or received a single dime for all their efforts!

We need to raise at least $5,000 by August 4, 2016 to cover the cost of our special FUNdraiser event. Although the band and venue have offered generous rates, we still have expenses left to cover renting the venue, hiring the band, purchasing merchandise to sell as well as marketing materials to distribute.

We are hoping to raise the remaining amount of $145,000 by the end of August to cover editing, music licensing, promotion, and distribution costs. As many of you know, these costs are extremelyexpensive, so the urgency of securing these funds is absolutely essential for our success!

Our First Cousins film premiere - scheduled for October 13, 2016, 7pm, Angelle Hall, Lafayette, Louisiana - marks the official kickoff event for our favorite Cajun & Zydeco music event of the year, Festivals Acadiens et Créoles. We feel so blessed to have such an awesome partner like this festival and can't believe how many many supporters like you have already been sharing our heartfelt project with everyone in your realm of influence.  We are especially thrilled about all of you who want to contribute in even bigger ways by giving your hard-earned dollars to this worthy cause!

First Cousins
discusses music, language, culture, and much more, but perhaps most importantly, this film tells the story about how Cajuns and Creoles came together and stuck together no matter how difficult the circumstances.  Our ancestors, whether they landed in Louisiana as exiled Acadians or enslaved Africans, overcame remarkable obstacles. As Cajuns and Creoles in today's chaotic world, we stand united firmly as family in celebration of the rich cultural heritage we share.

Join our special family of First Cousins by participating in our special cause, and let's watch what God can do through you!

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