Festivals, TV and streaming: The Lake of Scars documentary journey continues

Following an acclaimed festival run and a theatrical release across the breadth of Australia, Wedge-Tail Pictures' feature documentary The Lake of Scars continues to find audiences both at home and internationally.

Directed by Bill Code and produced with members of the Dja Dja Wurrung community in Victoria, The Lake of Scars tells the story of an unlikely alliance between members of the Yung Balug clan and non-Indigenous locals working to protect ancient scarred trees, middens and cultural heritage at Lake Boort.

Since its world premiere at Antenna Documentary Film Festival, The Lake of Scars has screened at Gold Coast Film Festival, Castlemaine Documentary Festival, Environmental Film Festival Australia, and the Meghalaya International Film Festival in India, earning widespread praise for its sensitivity, beauty and emotional resonance. Critics have described it as “profoundly moving” and “a quietly powerful meditation on reconciliation in action.”

The film screened on NITV and ran on the SBS On Demand platform, with a further Australian release by Ronin Films, followed by a North American and international release through Random Media, landing it on several major U.S. streaming platforms.

In Australia, audiences and educators can purchase the DVD or educational licences here via Ronin Films. The film is also available to stream on DocPlay, Filmzie and on Kanopy via participating libraries and universities.

Internationally, The Lake of Scars has secured a release with Random Media where it can be directly purchased digitally and on DVD, and is now also available on global streaming platforms, including Amazon, Hoopla, The Roku Channel, Google Play and Xfinity.

Teachers in Australia can access the film on ClickView, along with a free ATOM Study Guide created with members of the Yung Balug clan.

The documentary has become a valuable tool for education and reconciliation. Schools, councils, state government departments, universities, the Australian National Maritime Museum, the National Film and Sound Archive and community groups have all hosted screenings to spark conversations about heritage protection, water use and caring for Country. Reconciliation Victoria screened the film in the run-up to the 'Voice' referendum.

Awareness generated by the film has played a role in generating tangible outcomes at Lake Boort, including additional environmental water releases and planning for visitor walkways. With its themes of care, reconciliation and the preservation of shared heritage, The Lake of Scars remains as timely as ever, a testament to the power of community and storytelling to heal Country and connect people.