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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

In Brief: WIFT-AT names 2024 Wave Award winners

Plus: FilmPEI sets the four projects for its 2024 Film4Ward program and Scarborough, Ont. recognizes two homegrown talents.

April 12, 2024

David Cronenberg’s The Shrouds to compete at Cannes

Guy Maddin’s co-directed dark comedy Rumours and Canadian copro The Apprentice also joins the lineup for the French film festival.

April 11, 2024

Tom Hastings out at Paramount+ as cuts hit Canadian team

Hastings is one of a number of Canadian employees that are being laid off this week, Playback has learned.

April 10, 2024

Writers Guild of Canada prepares for strike vote in CMPA talks

The WGC and the producers association have been in talks to renew their Independent Production Agreement since last October.

April 10, 2024

105ive Films, Goggle Boy Films option Haunted Canada books

EXCLUSIVE: The prodcos are developing a teen-focused horror series based on the Scholastic Canada anthology.

April 9, 2024

OUTtv rebrands U.K. streaming service to OUTflix

Formerly Froot.tv, the subscription-based platform has expanded its reach in Europe through a deal with Allente.

April 9, 2024

Federal government invests $2.4 billion in artificial intelligence

The investment follows calls from screen sector unions and guilds for stronger protections for human creators and actors from generative AI.

April 8, 2024

National Film Board cuts more staff in modernization process

The organization says it expects to increase documentary and animation production budgets by $5 million as a result of the modernization efforts.

April 5, 2024

In Brief: Potluck Ladies to compete at SeriesFest in Denver

Plus: Canada/France doc I Shall Not Hate wins an audience award abroad and a Nova Scotia prodco is up for a Webby Award.

April 4, 2024

Adrianne & The Castle to open 2024 DOXA festival

Canadian doc Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story will close the Vancouver documentary festival, which runs from May 2 to 12.

April 4, 2024

Boat Rocker reports impact of U.S. strikes in year-end results

The company reported a more than 56% increase in revenue, but has reduced its outlook amidst industry pressures.

April 3, 2024

9 Story’s Vince Commisso on striking a deal with Scholastic

The president and CEO discusses unlocking IP opportunities and the potential wrinkle when it came to acquiring Portfolio Entertainment.

April 2, 2024