I’m Mark Selby, a two-time Canadian Screen Award-winning producer specializing in live comedy/variety, long-form documentary, and high-profile events, with a focus on collaborations with the best established and emerging talent.

With Barry Avrich and Melbar Entertainment Group, here are some recent credits:

• Born Hungry, co-produced with Priyanka Chopra Jonas, about the rise of Sash Simpson from street kid in India to renowned celebrity chef, which had its world premiere at the 2024 Palm Springs International Film Festival and later sold out its three screenings at Hot Docs 2024 in Toronto

• Without Precedent: The Supreme Life of Rosalie Abella, a Hot Docs 2023 festival world premiere and a Best Documentary winner at two film festivals, now streaming on CBC Gem and PBS

• Annual live Scotiabank Giller Prize broadcasts for CBC that have earned multiple Canadian Screen Award (CSA) nominations

• The CBC music special FreeUp! Emancipation Day 2022 (two CSA nominations)

• The Talented Mr. Rosenberg, which premiered at Hot Docs 2022, was acquired by Warner Bros., and later nominated for the Banff World Media Festival’s Rockie Awards

• Stage-to-screen captures of three productions from the prestigious Stratford Festival, including Much Ado About Nothing (premiering in 2024), Richard III (two CSA nominations), and a rare screen adaptation of Edward Albee’s Three Tall Women (three CSA nominations)

• Oscar Peterson: Black + White, a “docu-concert” now streaming on Crave (Canada) and Hulu (USA) after its world premiere screening at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival, and winner of four Canadian Screen Awards

• From Ontario With Love, a live multi-act, multi-platform New Year’s Eve concert

• The hilarious Howie Mandel: But Enough About Me, available on Crave (Canada), Peacock (USA), and seen at over three dozen film festivals around the world

I’m also the first live comedy programmer for the Stratford Festival, having previously programmed events, shows, and screenings with the Just For Laughs festival, including the first JFL Film Festival and a digital stand-up series for Lionsgate and Kevin Hart’s Laugh Out Loud.

My association with the legendary Air Farce sketch comedy troupe lasted over 15 years; our annual New Year’s Eve specials regularly ranked as the network’s highest-rated comedy show.

I also produced several live Canadian Screen Awards broadcast galas with Insight Productions.

I am an Honours B.A. graduate with Distinction from the University of Toronto, where I produced and directed shows for the historic U.C. Follies and Hart House Theatre. You can also sometimes find me at the piano as a musical director, composer, performance coach, and accompanist for theatre, cabaret, auditions, and workshops.

TL;DR: I help execute high-rated, award-winning, talent-driven projects for major networks, distributors, and events – especially for live TV; I create and manage relationships with high-level talent; and I develop new work and strengthen existing content as a producer, programmer, or consultant. Thanks for visiting!