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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

Cannes deals: V71, N5, Clique, Raven Banner

Canadian prodcos and distributors share their film sales slate as the Cannes Film Festival gets underway.

May 15, 2019

William Woods launches $2.5M fund for mid-budget films

Line 200 Inc. will provide financing for up to 30% of a film’s budget, aiming to fund between five to 10 Canadian films and copros over the next five years.

May 14, 2019

Canadian horror films join slate of new U.K. prodco Grimmfest

The new production arm of the Grimmfest film festival in Manchester has partnered with Canadian prodcos such as Federgreen Entertainment and Minds Eye.

May 13, 2019

Scythia, Clique to coproduce ’80s-themed thriller Coming Soon

U.K. distributor Altitude Films will launch the feature’s international sales at Cannes.

May 13, 2019

Quebec film gets $10 million in new funding

Canadian Heritage topped up the funds after learning Telefilm’s 2019/20 Production Program budget was almost fully allocated.

May 10, 2019

In brief: Esme & Roy gets season two greenlight

Plus: New Line partners with Bron Studios, Pixomondo hires a new global CEO and ABC picks up a Canadian-led series.

May 9, 2019

TVOkids turns up the volume on Bristow’s Backyard Beats

The pubcaster has greenlit Bristow Global Media’s Backyard Beats for broadcast in 2020.

May 9, 2019

Bron taps Rona Cosgrove as chief business affairs officer

The former Paramount Pictures exec will oversee the studio’s film and TV business affairs from its L.A. office.

May 8, 2019

Shaftesbury hires Lesley Grant as creative producer

The former Temple Street producer will help grow Shaftesbury’s creative slate.

May 7, 2019

Spencer Griffin to lead TV development at Just for Laughs

Griffin will develop new series for network and streamer sales in the newly created role, based out of L.A.

May 7, 2019

Mr. D, Splinters take top honours at Screen Nova Scotia Awards

William F. White International CEO Paul Bronfman was recognized with the inaugural Industry Champion Award.

May 6, 2019

Kim’s Convenience to hit international airlines

Thunderbird Entertainment has inked a deal with Encore Inflight Limited for the CBC comedy to view in-flight on airlines such as Emirates and Cathay Pacific.

May 6, 2019