A n overview of how to pitch to Playback‘s editorial team and what’s ahead for the calendar year. Entries are subject to change.

Pitch guide

Playback is a B2B publication focused on Canada’s production, broadcasting and digital media industries.

We accept press releases, news tips and story pitches via email: newstips@playbackonline.ca.

A typical Playback story covers business-oriented news including, but not limited to, exec and M&A moves, distribution deals, greenlights and renewals, funding decisions, production starts and wraps, policy and regulatory changes, unions and guilds, Canadian TV/film awards, film and TV markets and festivals, as well as domestic and international screen industry trends.

Stories that don’t fall within Playback‘s remit include consumer-facing news such as casting announcements, premiere dates and trailers.

Regular features

We have two regular article series throughout the year. The first is How It’s Made, which offers a deep dive into the lifecycle of a Canadian-made film and TV series, from development to marketing. Articles are published bi-weekly and can be timed around premiere dates.

The second, Strategy Spotlight, features Q&A format interviews with content commissioners and buyers to offer insights into what they’re currently buying and their perspectives on ever-evolving market conditions. Articles are published once a month.

Interested in pitching us an idea? Send an email to one of Playback‘s editorial team and we’ll be in touch.

Editorial calendar

January:

• Sundance Film Festival (Jan. 22 to Feb. 1)
• Prime Time in Ottawa (Jan. 28 to 30)

February:

• Berlin International Film Festival + European Film Market (Feb. 11 to 22)

March:

• South by Southwest (March 12 to 18)
• Series Mania (March 20 to 27)
• Canadian Screen Awards nominations (March 25)

April:

• Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival (April 23 to May 3)
• Submissions open for the Indie List

May:

• Cannes Film Festival (May 12 to 23)
• Canadian Screen Week (May 27 to 31)

June:

• Canadian TV upfronts
• Banff World Media Festival (June 14 to 17)

July:

• Fantasia International Film Festival + Frontières (July 16 to Aug. 2)

August:

• Fall film festival digital coverage begins

September:

• Toronto International Film Festival + TIFF: The Market (Sept. 10 to 20)

October:

• Vancouver International Film Festival (Oct. 1 to 11)
• MIPCOM (Oct. 12 to 15)

November & December:

• Whistler Film Festival