A French-speaking pioneer of Canadian cinema, director, editor, producer and screenwriter Léonard Forest was born in Massachusetts in 1928 to Acadian parents and grew up in Moncton. Throughout his 30-year career at the NFB, Forest was one of the great builders of French-language production and the founder—and most ardent champion—of the production unit in Acadian New Brunswick. The films of this accomplished director and producer were deeply rooted in Acadian culture and explored themes such as origins, identity and modernity.