Cajun, Creole, and Indian French communities are mobilizing statewide in the next few days to save funding for the only Louisiana French TV programming in the State—the first Louisiana French TV shows to air statewide in 30 years.
In the past few years, Télé-Louisiane launched two historic television programs on Louisiana Public Broadcasting (LPB). Les Aventures de Boudini et Ses Amis is the first and only Louisiana French cartoon series. La Veillée is the only Louisiana French documentary news series.
After producing two seasons of both shows, the cultural, economic, and educational impact on the State has been significant, including:
- Production of 53 episodes
- Highlighting of unique communities in over 20 parishes
- Promotion of tourism and economic development in Louisiana to over 10 million viewers worldwide
- Creation of dozens of new jobs
- Generation of $1.5 million in new investment in Louisiana
- Education of thousands of students across the State, particularly in our 42 French immersion schools
The three main characters in Boudini: Boudini, Colinda et Coco.
Despite these clear positive returns on its investment, the Legislature has cut the budget for this French programming on LPB for fiscal year 2024-25 (FY25) starting July 1, 2024—a decision that will have devastating impact:
- Third seasons of the two widely popular shows will not be produced and aired this fall.
- $110,000 in already-allocated federal funds in FY25 will be lost as they can only be spent in Louisiana if the programs receive matching funds from the State for La Veillée and Boudini.
- Over $100,000 in French international funding also requires State matching funds and will thus be lost.
- Hundreds of thousands of viewers will lose this vital resource for keeping our culture alive.
- Teachers across Louisiana’s 42 French immersion schools will no longer be able to rely on these two programs as teaching tools and were planning to continue using them next year.
- A dozen full-time and part-time employees will be terminated in July if this funding is not allocated.
The State Senate must finalize and approve the FY25 budget this week, giving supporters a few more days to save these historic and widely popular programs.
Supporters of keeping our unique Louisiana French language and culture alive and restoring “Télé-Louisiane French programming on LPB” are encouraged to email and call State Senators, show up on Wednesday, May 29 at the Capitol for French Immersion day, and sign the petition at telelouisiane.com/saveboudini.
