A n overview of how to pitch to Playback‘s editorial team and what’s ahead for the calendar year. Entries are subject to change.

Pitch guide

Playback is a B2B publication focused on Canada’s production, broadcasting and digital media industries.

We accept press releases, news tips and story pitches via email: ktownsend@brunico.com.

A typical Playback story covers business-oriented news including, but not limited to, exec and M&A moves, distribution deals, greenlights and renewals, funding decisions, production starts and wraps, policy and regulatory changes, unions and guilds, Canadian TV/film awards, film and TV markets and festivals, as well as domestic and international screen industry trends.

Stories that don’t fall within Playback‘s remit include consumer-facing news such as casting announcements, premiere dates and trailers.

Editorial calendar

January:

• Sundance Film Festival (Jan. 23 to Feb. 2)
• Prime Time in Ottawa (Jan. 29 to 31)

February:

• Submissions open for 2025 Indie List
• Berlin International Film Festival + European Film Market (Feb. 13 to 23)

March:

• South by Southwest (March 7 to 15)
• Series Mania (March 21 to 28)
• Canadian Screen Awards nominations (March 26)
• Hearings begin for CRTC’s consultations on Canadian programming (March 31)

April:

• Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival (April 24 to May 4)

May:

• Cannes Film Festival (May 13 to 24)
• Spring 2025 magazine, featuring the 2025 Indie List
• Canadian Screen Awards (May 30 to June 1)

June:

• Canadian TV upfronts
• Banff World Media Festival (June 8 to 11)
• Submissions open for Playback‘s 10 to Watch 2025

July:

• Fantasia International Film Festival (July 17 to Aug. 3)

August:

• Fall film festival digital coverage begins

September:

• Toronto International Film Festival
• 10 to Watch 2025
• Vancouver International Film Festival (Oct. 2 to 12)

October:

• MIPCOM (Oct. 13 to 16)

November:

• Whistler Film Festival

December:

• Winter 2025 magazine, featuring the 2025 Best of the Year