By Kerri Parker, HWY 331
There are certain places that quietly shape everything around them. In DeFuniak Springs, that place is Lake DeFuniak.
When I was awarded a grant through the SoWal Foundation, I was given 90 days to create a documentary film. The timeline was tight, but the opportunity was clear: to tell a story that matters and to tell it in a way that honors the people and place at its center.
What emerged is a 15-minute documentary titled The Lake That Built a Town.
Through intimate interviews and cinematic storytelling, the film traces how the lake influenced settlement, architecture, civic life, and personal memory. What emerges is a portrait of a Southern town built around water, shared experiences, and traditions formed along its shore.
In telling this story, the film reflects a larger truth about small town America: the places that shape community life and collective memory are where identity takes root and where the story of a town is continually renewed.
Small towns across America are constantly changing. Stories fade. Details are lost. Places that once held meaning can become overlooked. Lake DeFuniak is unique, not only in its physical form but also in the role it has played in shaping a community. Capturing that on film felt important, not just for today, but for the years ahead.
DeFuniak Springs is in a period of renewed energy and attention. There is a growing sense that the town is stepping into its next chapter. This film is meant to contribute to that momentum and pride. It is meant to remind people what we circle back to: the history, the character, and the sense of place that cannot be replicated.
I hope it helps people see the lake, and the town around it, with fresh eyes.
The film is now available to watch on YouTube. A QR code is included with this article for easy access.
