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Welcome to Built On Zydeco

About the Film

Built on Zydeco is a Creole-directed documentary that celebrates the artists, legacy, and cultural impact of Zydeco music — one of Louisiana’s most powerful and enduring exports.

Filmed in Opelousas, St. Landry Parish — the capital of Zydeco — the documentary explores how this regional sound continues to define Louisiana’s identity while sustaining a multigenerational community of artists, dancers, and fans.


This powerful documentary follows three iconic figures in Creole music — Keith Frank, Terrance Simien, and Reginald “Buckwheat Jr.” Dural — alongside a rich ensemble of fellow musicians. Through immersive vérité footage, dynamic live performances, and deeply personal interviews, the film tells a compelling story of rhythm, resilience, and the enduring spirit of Creole culture.

Project Focus

Built on Zydeco travels with musicians across Louisiana and beyond — from trail rides and backyard gatherings to festival stages and small-town clubs — documenting how Zydeco drives local tourism, sustains cultural identity, and connects generations.


It captures how the music continues to energize communities and bring people home — serving as a gateway to Louisiana’s Creole culture, foodways, language, and lived history.

Impact + Outreach Includes

  • Showcasing how Zydeco fuels cultural tourism throughout Louisiana
  • Uplifting Creole culture through stories of music, tradition, and place
  • Connecting audiences to generational legacies and community-rooted musicians
  • Highlighting the role of small venues, festivals, and trail rides in sustaining local economies
  • Engaging audiences through screenings, panels, and educational toolkits
  • Expanding access through a bilingual social media campaign and community partnerships

Supported in part by the 2025 #CreateLouisiana French Film Grant and with generous backing from Lafayette Travel


Production Partners

  • Vues de Culture
  • La Louisianne Films

Copyright © 2026 Built on Zydeco - All Rights Reserved.

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