It wasn’t too long ago that many of Canada’s independent filmmakers were calling for the death of the National Film Board. But in 2001, the NFB got a new leader, and “most independent producers like the changes instituted in the past two years, and some even now dare to cautiously believe that the NFB — not long ago considered a colossal waste of taxpayer money — might have a shot of becoming what it once was: an effectual promoter, supporter and producer of top-quality Canadian stories.”