Calgary’s reputation as a place to not only create films, but live as a filmmaker, has been on the rise.

This year the city placed fifth on MovieMaker Magazine’s best places to live and work as a moviemaker in 2025 list, moving up from eighth in 2023, and a dual placement of 10th in 2022 and 2021.

The ranking, noted by the magazine, also matched the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Livability Index, which also ranked Calgary fifth in the world.

“Calgary is rising fast as a production hub, hosting high-profile projects like The Last of Us and Fargo. It was recognized for the latter at the 2024 Location Managers Guild Awards, in the Outstanding Locations in a Contemporary TV Series category,” wrote Tim Molloy, Editor-in-Chief of MovieMaker Magazine.

“Calgary is very welcoming toward filmmakers — even those looking to move there permanently. It’s many attractions include a lovely and modern downtown that gives way to stunning natural beauty nearby, from prairies to badlands to the Rockies.”

Also noted by Molloy was the 22 per cent tax credit offered in Alberta jumping to 30 per cent when Alberta-based owners or producers are involved.

“The city is home to hearty crews who know how to perform in snowy conditions, and the great film festivals include the Calgary International Film Festival and the Calgary Underground Film Festival.”

Calgary placed above more traditional places for filmmaking in the nation, such as Vancouver (placed at 25), and was only beaten out by Toronto (placed at second) on the list.

The top city in North America cited by Molloy was Albuquerque, New Mexico due to the high number of productions, deep crew base, and tax credits that can range from 35 to 45 per cent.

Luke Azevedo, Calgary Film Commissioner and Vice President, Creative Industries and Operations at Calgary Economic Development, said that MovieMaker Magazine accolade for Calgary came as no surprise, albeit still a welcome one.

“It’s a testament to the quality of the people and the work that’s done in this area, as well as the infrastructure that’s here, all of the vistas, all of these pieces that we bring together to showcase the city and the area around it,” he said.

“What it shows is that we’re starting to be recognized for the quality of the people and work that we do in this area, and livability. Because as part of this, they attached it to the quality of life in the area, and I think that’s a huge piece for us in every sector.”

That Calgary ranked as high as it did, did also not come as a surprise to Calgary International Film Festival Executive Director Katherine Penhale.

“It’s no surprise to CIFF that Calgary has ranked fifth—we see the talented production teams, actors and crews walk our red carpets year after year, and we know what Calgary has to offer to the international movie industry. We’re delighted to see the hard work of countless people be highlighted this way, and to see a little more spotlight on our special city,” she said.

Calgary no longer a no-name in the film and television world

Azevedo said that the increasing ranking by MovieMaker Magazine shows that the film industry in Calgary has been maturing, and is able to identity what is needed to create some of the best film content in the world.

“From the time that we are advised that there is a program that—whether it’s a feature, or a series, or unscripted—that wants to come into the region, from that moment forward, we’re being evaluated in everything that we do,” he said.

“How we do the digital photo pack, to how we do the on the ground scout, how the interactions with our unions, guilds, associations, and how all of these things that that then culminate in the production are all evaluated throughout the process. And everybody talks in this industry. As big of an industry as it is, everybody talks.”

He said that every new production is calling the last production that worked in Calgary, and so there is constantly a conversation in the industry about locations of choice for someone’s next project.

“I think what this represents is the fact that we have filmmakers here and content creators that live here, and find this to be an area that can support not only their filmmaking and their their content creation, but also support the livability and they can be in a city that they love to be in,” Azevedo said.

He said that a single accolade, like that from MovieMaker Magazine is important, but ultimately it’s how the Calgary creative economy has been able to cater to filmmakers of all sorts is what has led to success.

Shows like Heartland being filmed in and around Calgary for 18 years, alongside big budget premier streaming productions like The Last of Us, are top of interest for other filmakers and productions.

“People don’t ask where Calgary is anymore.The question isn’t, ‘oh, what have you done?’ People actually know who we are now,” Azevedo said.

“The conversations are different from the beginning, but as we continue to be recognized, whether it’s MovieMaker, whether we’re seen at the Global Production Awards, whether it’s at LMGI, all of these accolades that represent people and the areas that are all beneficial when we’re having those next conversations.”