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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

RIDM unveils full lineup for 25th edition

A number of Canadian films will make their world premiere, including Denys Desjardins’ J’ai placé ma mère, which is in the National Feature Competition.

October 27, 2022

CMF’s Creighton weighs in on Senate’s Cancon definition debate

The president and CEO of the Canada Media Fund argued that the definition discussion requires a robust and lengthy debate beyond the Senate committee review.

October 26, 2022

Doctor Who heads to Disney+ Canada in BBC deal

The streamer will be the exclusive home to new episodes of the British franchise, while Bell Media will retain rights to previously-aired episodes, Playback has confirmed.

October 26, 2022

Deals: WFW, Bell Media, Super Channel, Nelvana

William F. White International sets an exclusive partnership with Winnipeg’s Big Sky Studios, Bell Media and Super Channel announce content acquisitions and sales, plus more.

October 25, 2022

Telefilm unveils 2022/23 cohort for relaunched Talent to Watch

The funder has selected 16 films to share a total funding of $3.5 million from the Talent Fund.

October 25, 2022

CMPA, DGC reach terms for three-year agreement

The terms of new Standard Agreement must still be ratified by CMPA and DGC members.

October 24, 2022

Thunderbird talent investment offsets revenue increase in 2022

The Vancouver company reported $149 million in revenue for the fiscal year as it looks to properties such as Princess Power and Reginald the Vampire to propel profits in the next two years.

October 24, 2022

Telefilm support comes to $136.8M for fiscal 2021/22

The funder’s annual report shows the impact of increased federal support on its Production Program, as well as new statistics from its equity and inclusion initiatives.

October 21, 2022

Saskatchewan government tops up production grant investment

The additional $7.5 million brings the grant’s total budget to $17.5 million for the fiscal year.

October 21, 2022

Canadian AVOD, FAST network JOIN TV to launch in 2023

Co-founder Gordon Weiske discusses the network’s acquisition and ad revenue strategies, as well as their post-launch original programming ambitions.

October 19, 2022

Blue Ant sets first original for FAST channel HauntTV

B.C.-based docuseries Haunted Gold Rush will be released on HauntTV in the U.S. on Oct. 27 before heading to T+E in Canada.

October 19, 2022

OUTtv commissions, renews unscripted titles

The Canadian LGBTQ+ network has ordered three reality series, in addition to renewing the docuseries Pride for a fourth season.

October 18, 2022