Playback’s 10 to Watch 2022: Kelsey Espensen

The unscripted format expert reveals the secret sauce behind creating the concepts for series such as Race Against the Tide, A Cut Above and Best in Miniature.

Black Ice, Alice, Darling, Brother producers team up on The Count

Elevation Pictures, Conquering Lion Pictures and The Good Karma Company plan to “fast track” the crime drama series for buyers this fall.

ACTRA, DGC raise artist protection concerns in Bill C-11 to Senate committee

ACTRA National and Directors Guild of Canada executives appeared before the Senate Standing Committee on Transport and Communications.

Hot Sheet

Hot Sheet: The Lord of the Rings prequel debuts on top 10 charts

Netflix’s Stranger Things continues to conquer the digital originals chart, while HBO’s Game of Thrones tops the overall TV list for the week of Sept. 5 to 11.

Deals: Blue Ant Media, Nish Media, Amérique Film, ATN

Blue Ant Media’s Love Nature debuts in Poland, Quebec’s Nish Media and Amérique Film sign coproduction deal with Scotland’s Makar Productions, and more.

In Brief: Content Catalyst Fund rebrands as Catalyst with new hire

Plus: Indigenous filmmakers are making strides with genre films, the Montreal Festival du nouveau cinéma reveals participants for Nouveau Marché, and more.

Paramount+ Canada hires Tom Hastings as head of original programming

Hastings is one of several former Bell Media execs now at the streamer, including Katrina Kowalski, VP of content for Paramount+ and Pluto TV Canada.

Incendo, Tubi on track for more collaborations after Terror Train

The companies explain their strategies as they partner on two more horror films, while also developing comedies.

eOne appoints Canadian unscripted development VPs

Christine Diakos joins eOne as VP of development to lead the unscripted creative team alongside Scott Boyd, who is promoted to VP of development.

How the industry is building more diverse crews at all levels

While unions look to recruit more Black, Indigenous and people of colour workers, the production community agrees change must start at the top.

Creative BC earmarks $595K for eight B.C.-based projects

The organization has financed its second-round of production funding to feature films and documentaries.

Cineflix Rights hires Mike Gould as new SVP of digital

The Cineflix Media-owned distributor created a new position as part of a strategic push to grow its digital business.

Catherine Tait says CBC remains committed to indie producers

The CBC/Radio-Canada president and CEO addressed concerns over modifications in its latest CRTC licence renewal on a panel at Content Canada.

Cineplex

Cineplex rises from the pandemic ashes

The entertainment brand bounces back as consumers return to cinematic and live experiences.

APTN lumi’s experimental programming strategy

Lisa Ducharme, director of online content at APTN, discusses how working with short-form content has allowed the streamer to be innovative.