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

Advisory committee reformed to recommend CBC board candidates

The federal government has selected a 10-person committee to recommend new CBC/Radio-Canada board members that meet gender parity and diversity goals.

Pluto TV launches in Canada with dedicated Cancon channels

Canadian programs such as Property Brothers, Bake with Anna Olson, Max and Ruby and Private Eyes are part of the initial launch slate.

CBC unveils winter programming for video, podcast content

The pubcaster also revealed the newly announced unscripted series Push and the new hosts of long-running docuseries The Nature of Things.

Axia Films hires director of operations for English Canada

Former Universal Pictures exec Jean Benoît joins the Montreal-based distributor in the newly-created role to oversee operations and business development in the English market.

CMF, Ontario Creates partner on interactive digital media fund

The CMF-Ontario Creates Pilot IDM Futures Forward Program will provide up to $20,000 of early-development support for digital media projects from emerging and equity-deserving companies.

Playback Film Summit: Understanding systemic barriers

Equity leaders and filmmakers discussed how organizations such as the Black Screen Office and the Indigenous Screen Office are critical to highlighting systemic issues as funders try to create a fairer system.

NFB to set racial equity targets, begin data collection in 2023

Outgoing commissioner Claude Joli-Coeur explains to Playback Daily why the data collection was delayed by one year and addresses the hiring committee controversy.

In Brief: Donkeyhead leads winners at UBCP/ACTRA Awards

Plus: L.A.’s Sugar23 hires Max Tremblay to open a Toronto office, Sarah Polley’s Women Talking will be honoured at the Film Independent Spirit Awards, and more.

Heritage Minister tells senators ‘status quo is not an option’

Minister Pablo Rodriguez appeared as part of the final witness testimony for the Senate study of Bill C-11, which has moved to its clause-by-clause review.

Jay Daniel Beechinor options Megan Gail Coles’ debut novel

Small Game Hunting at the Local Coward Gun Club will be developed into a series, with Coles attached as executive producer.

Caitlin Cronenberg sets feature debut with Humane

Jay Baruchel and Emily Hampshire star in the dystopian thriller, with Elevation Pictures attached to distribute in Canada.

CMF to shutter Cancon YouTube channel Encore+

The funder said it is “exploring many other avenues” for the pilot project, which saw more than 3,000 classic Cancon titles restored and digitized since 2017.