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
Cineplex

Cineplex reportedly in talks for Regal Entertainment merger

Cineplex has approached parentco Cineworld’s lenders on a deal to merge the two companies, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal.

Media Ranch sells international formats to U.S. prodcos

The Montreal-headquartered company has also secured additional seasons for formats sold to European broadcasters.

Blink49 Studios in development on copro with U.K. prodco Eleven

The companies are set to coproduce a TV series based on American author M.L. Rio’s novel If We Were Villains.

Playback’s 10 to Watch 2022: Josiane Blanc

The Toronto-based Francophone filmmaker can do it all, creating and producing scripted and unscripted projects with a strong social impact.

Sold out CIFF screening triggers theatrical run for Alberta film

Father of Nations, directed, co-written and produced by Aleisha Anderson, will run in select Alberta theatres beginning Oct. 7 after its world bow at the Calgary International Film Festival.

SODEC supports 12 Quebec TV literary adaptations

The selected projects will receive pre-development funding under an assistance program held in collaboration with the Canada Media Fund.

Deals: Cineflix Rights, Neshama, IMAX, Guru Studio

Cineflix Rights and Guru Studio pad their MIPCOM sales slates, Neshama options Canadian coming-of-age novel, IMAX acquires an Ontario-based video quality solutions company, and more.

CRTC ordered to reconsider CBC/Radio-Canada broadcast licence decision

Industry organizations such as the CMPA, the DGC and ACTRA have applauded the federal government’s decision to send back the broadcast licence after petitions.

Creative BC gives $300K to doc, factual grant recipients

The Documentary and Factual Development Fund supports the development of B.C.-owned unscripted IP.

Pluto TV readies its Canadian market launch

Olivier Jollet, Pluto TV’s EVP and international GM, discusses the platform’s multi-faceted partnership with Corus Entertainment and how AVODs and FAST channels are complementary to linear and VOD subscription options.

Still of Darlene Naponse's film Stellar

Darlene Naponse’s Stellar to open 23rd imagineNATIVE festival

Gail Maurice’s ROSIE will close the in-person portion of the hybrid festival, with screenings and events running from Oct. 18 to 23, and additional virtual screenings available until Oct. 30.

ZoomerMedia promotes Beverley Shenken to chief content officer

As part of the promotion Shenken will now lead carriage and distribution negotiations with Canadian BDUs on behalf of the company’s television properties.