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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

Wildling Pictures, Adam Yorke developing Canadian spy film

The Toronto prodco has optioned the history book Cracking the Nazi Code, about the untold story of Canadian spy Winthrop Bell.

November 2, 2023

Family Channel, TVNZ order animated series Badjelly

The 2D animation is coproduced by Montreal’s Sphere Animation, New Zealand’s Mukpuddy Animation and Ireland’s Cantilever Media.

November 2, 2023

REMC report outlines roadmap to national racial equity database

The study from REMC and Nordicity includes several recommended steps to establish a national database for race-based data collection in Canada’s film and TV sector.

November 1, 2023

Canadian thriller Jackknife wraps filming in Ontario

The film marks the second feature from writer, director and producer Adam Jack.

October 31, 2023

Builder Brothers Dream Factory heads to Europe, Asia

The 3D-animated preschool series has been picked up by ITV for the U.K., in addition to sales in other territories.

October 31, 2023

In Brief: Russell Grosse appointed to CMF board of directors

Plus: Whistler Film Festival unveils participants for the Newfoundland and P.E.I. accelerator programs, and the Forest City Film Festival names its pitch prize winners.

October 30, 2023

Playback Film Summit: From Talent to Watch to Cannes

The team behind the Canada-Pakistan copro In Flames discussed budget-balancing challenges during the shoot and festival premiere strategies.

October 30, 2023

CMF launches pilot program for social media content

The Digital Creators Pilot Program offers up to $20,000 to support content production or business activities for creators on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

October 27, 2023

Corus CEO talks CRTC, financial challenges in year-end results

The broadcaster reported a 5% decline in consolidated revenue for the 2023 fiscal year.

October 27, 2023

Bell Media inks licensing, distribution deal with Fox

The agreement will see Fox Entertainment Global distribute original Canadian programs commissioned by CTV and Crave, with Neshama Entertainment to produce the initial slate.

October 27, 2023

WGC says diverse membership is up, but share of work is declining

The Writers Guild of Canada’s 2022 Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Report also offered a snapshot of member earnings.

October 26, 2023

Playback Film Summit: Flexibility is key for film financing

Indie film producers discussed the highs and lows of navigating copros, funders and sales agents during the virtual panel.

October 26, 2023