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

The Black Academy unveils the Legacy Awards

The inaugural telecast will air on CBC and CBC Gem on Sept. 25 from the History music venue in Toronto’s east end.

CTV pairs with Lark Productions, Fremantle for rustic dating format

Farming For Love, which pairs urban and rural-based singles, is expected to go into production in British Columbia later this year.

Roku orders scripted comedy from Boat Rocker, TeaTime Pictures

Slip, created by star and director Zoe Lister-Jones, will begin production in Toronto in April.

Quebec offers $257.9M for cultural sector in 2022/23 budget

Quebec’s producers association AQPM says the budget offers too few details on how the amount will support domestic productions.

Media Ranch expands Asian footprint with latest format deals

The company has expanded its partnership with South Korean format agency Something Special and sold formats out of its existing deal with FormatEast.

James Cowan tapped as managing director of Picture Shop Vancouver

The Streamland Media subsidiary, which offers colour and editing post-production services, has two locations in Vancouver.

APTN to broadcast documentary Inconvenient Indian

The decision came from consultations between the film’s participants and the producers, including the National Film Board, 90th Parallel Productions and Jesse Wente.

Red Arrow amps up Canadian slate ahead of MIPTV

The European distributor will bring all three seasons of KOTV’s Plan B and the third season of Departure to the annual Cannes TV market in April.

Gaumont acquires ComediHa! dramedy format About Anthony

Gaumont picked up the rights to adapt the series locally based on the scripts from creator Cathleen Rouleau.

Unions in no rush to remove masks on set

“We don’t need to be the first to cross the finish line on this one,” says ACTRA Toronto executive director Alistair Hepburn.

Guru Studio invests in people and culture strategy

The Toronto animation company has promoted Babita Jassal to VP of people and culture as it aims to boost its staff levels among its 2D and 3D-animated projects.

Diana Sanchez to co-lead programming at Blue Mountain Film Festival

The former senior director, film at TIFF will work with Helen du Toit for the inaugural June film festival at Blue Mountain Village.