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Kelly Townsend

Kelly Townsend is the editor at Playback, with previous experience in B2B and entertainment journalism. Before joining the Playback team in 2018, she worked in the editorial, marketing and communication departments at B2B publisher Dovetail Communications. She has a bachelor's degree in English from York University and is a graduate of Humber College’s journalism program. Her byline has appeared in IndieWire and she spent several years covering Canadian TV as associate editor of The TV Junkies.

Posts by Kelly Townsend

Thunderbird Entertainment chairman departs

Brian Paes-Braga (pictured) has served as chairman of the Vancouver-based company’s board of directors since 2019.

December 7, 2021

CMPA, AQPM reach tentative agreement with ACTRA

The deal, which must still be ratified, marks the tentative close of negotiations for three national IPAs for CMPA, including NABET and the DGC.

December 6, 2021

Lauren Grant gets personal with her directorial debut

The Clique Pictures producer says her experience with the short Things We Feel But Do Not Say, which recently screened at the Whistler Film Festival, highlighted the barriers to financing for narrative shorts in Canada.

December 6, 2021

Hideaway Pictures, MPCA renew partnership with $150 million production deal

The companies first partnered in 2016 to produce film and TV projects in Northern Ontario, including Hallmark series When Hope Calls.

December 3, 2021

Bell Fund taps 15 projects for $3M in short-form digital series program

The program has provided $740,000 to English-language projects for audience development through a new pilot initiative in addition to $2.2 million in production funds for English and French projects.

December 3, 2021

EXCLUSIVE: Cineflix Productions names director of scripted development

Former iThentic exec Lisa Baylin has been tapped for the newly created role based in Toronto.

December 2, 2021

Muse Entertainment taps Private Eyes producer for SVP role

Based in Toronto, Alex Jordan will work with Muse’s development team to produce scripted content in multiple genres.

December 1, 2021

CMF opens $3M development program for doc, kids producers

The program allows producers to tap up to $75,000 in development funding without a broadcaster attached.

November 30, 2021

Quebec adds $46.1 million to cultural sector recovery

The funds will be added to the province’s temporary assistance programs, which were created in summer 2020 to offset the cost of safety protocols and potential shutdowns due to COVID-19.

November 26, 2021

Behind Blink Studios’ creator-first strategy in Canada

CEO John Morayniss and EVP, global scripted, Carolyn Newman share the company’s creative and strategic vision following its launch this month.

November 24, 2021

Corus Entertainment hires first sustainability lead

Sheila Ritson-Bennett will help lead the broadcaster’s environment and sustainability efforts as the screen industry continues its push for greener practices.

November 23, 2021

Netflix to acquire Scanline VFX

The VFX studio has approximately 600 employees in Canada between its Vancouver and Montreal studios.

November 22, 2021