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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

WGC, IATSE strike deal to represent script coordinators

The agreement comes three years after BIPOC TV & Film issued a petition calling for the WGC to give the entry-level position guild status.

September 11, 2023

How Departure’s ferry sinking sequences came to life

Director T.J. Scott and producer Patrick Cassavetti discuss the logistics behind keeping the Shaftesbury series’ most ambitious scenes on budget.

September 11, 2023

Solving the financing ‘puzzle’ of Canada-Poland copro Irena’s Vow

TIFF ’23: Executive producer Berry Meyerowitz and director Louise Archambault discuss the seven-year journey to bring the Second World War story to the screen.

September 11, 2023

Boat Rocker seeks new home for Slip following Roku removal

The comedy series, created by star Zoe Lister-Jones, is one of dozens of titles to be pulled from the Roku Channel this week.

September 8, 2023

Nancy Grant, Anam Abbas win 2023 Indiescreen Awards

The annual CMPA awards took place at the Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto on the first day of TIFF.

September 8, 2023

In Brief: CFC, CBC name 2023 Actors Conservatory residents

Plus: TIFF expands partnerships with local film schools and programs, Bilal Baig will be lauded at the Trans Filmmakers Summit, and more.

September 7, 2023

Solange Attwood to depart Blue Ant Media

The Toronto-headquartered media company’s EVP, international is leaving to launch a production business, and will remain until Nov. 30.

September 7, 2023

Federgreen grows producing, acquisitions talent across banners

Producers Emily Foster and Lauren Thomas have joined Federgreen Entertainment, while Christian Burgess will head acquisitions at Red Water Entertainment.

September 7, 2023

OUTtv renews drag design competition series Sew Fierce

The second season is currently in production, with British-Canadian drag artist Crystal joining as co-host.

September 6, 2023

Kimberley Ball to succeed Jackie Pardy as Super Channel CCO

Pardy will retire from her 35-year career in the Canadian media industry in December, stepping down as chief content officer.

September 5, 2023

Gravitas Ventures acquires U.S. rights to horror film Wintertide

Producer Kyle Bornais negotiated the rights deal after working with the distributor on the U.S. release of The Swearing Jar.

September 1, 2023

New report warns parity gains in Canadian film, TV are ‘fragile’

Women in View’s latest On Screen Report states that women and gender-diverse creatives saw an overall reduced share of film and TV work in 2020 and 2021.

September 1, 2023