The film was the winner of the prize for Best Documentary about Social and Political Issues at the 2005 ATOM (Australian Teachers of Media) Awards .
The film was a Change Focus Media production, in association with the Australian Film Commission, the New South Wales Film and Television Office, Link Enterprises and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
This documentary's director, Kaye Harrison, said of this film in May 2013: ''My motivation for making the documentary 'Crossing the Line' was a desire to make the issues surrounding indigenous health accessible to a broad mainstream audience. Since its broadcast on the ABC some eight years ago, it is apparent that the documentary has also been very useful as an educational resource. It's very gratifying to know that the film encourages discussion and debate about such complex issues, makes me feel like I've done my job! In an ideal world where there is no Indigenous disadvantage with respect to access to health care, life expectancy, my documentary would no longer be regarded as relevant. Until then I am hopeful the documentary continues to make a valuable educational contribution.''
This documentary's producer, Rod Freedman, said of this film in May 2013: ''-'Crossing the Line' is a significant film in my career as a producer. The director and cinematographer, Kaye Harrison, approached me with the idea of following two non-indigenous medical students on a work placement to the remote community of Mornington Island, where they would meet Aboriginal people for the first time and experience some of the complexities of Indigenous health issues. Kaye impressed me with her understanding of the protocols of approaching the community for permission to film in a serious and sensitive way. She undertook research trips to get the support of the community, the medical organisations and the University of Tasmania. She also found two young medical students prepared to participate in the film. It's rewarding to know that the film continues to be used widely amongst indigenous and mainstream organisations to explore the complexities of grappling with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health issues and Aboriginal people's responses to outsiders. The film elicits a wide range of responses about the thorny issues of 'crossing the line' in a medical professional sense. It also portrays the unpredictable responses when mainstream health professionals 'cross the line' and enter Aboriginal communities for the first time. Bridging the Gap in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander life expectancy remains a key issue across Australia. 'Crossing the Line' continues to play a role in raising awareness amongst engaged students and health professionals.''
The film's opening prologue states: ''Many medical students take part in clinical placements in rural and remote Australia every year. This film follows two medical students from the University of Tasmania as they undergo an 8 week placement in a remote Indigenous community''.