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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

WildBrain’s Rev & Roll zooms into the global market

The CGI-animated preschool series has been picked up in more than 25 territories, including China, Germany, France, Italy, Russia and Australia.

April 16, 2020

CMF launches COVID-19 information hub

The resource page will be regularly updated with details on financial support programs and relevant news to the industry as the funder sets its COVID-19 action plan. (Unlocked)

April 14, 2020

The new showrunners: Vagrant Queen’s Jem Garrard

The British-Canadian writer/director shares how working in the indie world prepared her for showrunning, and the advantages of shooting sci-fi in Cape Town.

April 13, 2020

Canadian Film Day streams on to celebrate homegrown film

Reel Canada is taking the annual Canadian film celebration online with curated film collections on streaming sites and a four-hour livestream on April 22.

April 13, 2020

How to manage mental health issues during COVID-19

Workplace mental health expert Jordan Friesen shares tips on how film and TV workers can cope during periods of uncertainty and what employers can do to help. (Unlocked)

April 3, 2020

CMF offers stability with its 2020/21 program budget

The funding body will invest $353 million in TV and digital projects in the upcoming fiscal year, with minimal changes to its programs in light of the COVID-19 crisis. (Unlocked)

April 1, 2020

Netflix cancels V-Wars, October Faction

Both series, produced by Toronto’s High Park Entertainment and publisher IDW, ran for one season on the streamer.

March 31, 2020

‘Be nice and nimble:’ Paul Bronfman’s advice in a crisis

The William F. White International head says the safety and security of employees is priority number one, while the industry works hard to survey the financial damage. (Unlocked)

March 30, 2020

As YouTube and Netflix relieve bandwidth demand, who’s next?

The call to reduce video quality and limit network constraints will extend beyond streamers during the COVID-19 crisis as consumer demand rises.

March 27, 2020

Canadian media pioneer JR Shaw dies at 85

The founder of Shaw Communications and Corus Entertainment made a lasting impact on Canada’s broadcasting and telecommunications landscape.

March 25, 2020

Telefilm mulls funding overages due to COVID-19

The funding agency announced increased flexibility with contract requirements and defaults while maintaining its drawdown schedule for financed projects. (Unlocked)

March 24, 2020

ProgramBuyer offers free content uploads for MIPTV titles

The screening site will allow distributors to upload content set to launch at MIPTV with no charge to increase their accessibility to international buyers.

March 23, 2020