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

Creative Export Canada invests $90K in JustWatchMe

The streaming platform will use the funds to expand to international markets.

Domestic screen sector facing ‘profound structural challenges’

A panel of broadcasting and media heads addressed some of the fundamental issues in the current system at Content Canada.

Bell Media’s Sean Cohan appointed as BANFF chair

Cohan succeeds Lionsgate Television Group’s Kevin Beggs as head of the Banff World Media Festival’s board of directors.

Photo gallery: CFC Homecoming BBQ

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow was among the speakers at the annual Canadian Film Centre BBQ during TIFF.

Media leaders discuss Cancon definition at Content Canada

Lionsgate Canada’s Jocelyn Hamilton warned of paralysis in the market due to slow regulatory changes.

CTV renews The Amazing Race Canada for season 11

The long-running reality competition series will return in 2025.

40 Acres producer responds to outstanding payment allegations

IATSE Local 634 and 411 claimed in a joint statement that the production has not fully paid vendors, actors and crews.

Khaled Sabbour launches distributor New Mountain Films

The producer and distributor has tapped former eOne exec Frank Mendicino to lead marketing efforts.

New Metric Media, Encore form strategic partnership

The deal will see the companies co-develop and coproduce bilingual content, building on their existing collaboration.

Protestors interrupt TIFF opening screening

The protestors called for TIFF to cut ties with sponsor RBC, breaking out into chants in a screening for opening film Nutcrackers.

Film sector faces significant development financing gap

Canadian writers, producers and funders discuss the growing need to fill the void that the Harold Greenberg Fund left behind.

TIFF programmers talk genre-bending Canadian lineup

TIFF ’24: Kelly Boutsalis and Norm Wilner break down some of the notable trends in the 49th edition’s Canadian features.