Calgary continues to solidify its reputation as a premier destination for filmmakers, rising to fifth place on MovieMaker Magazine’s 2025 list of the Best Places to Live and Work as a Filmmaker in North America. Rising from eighth place in 2024, this marks the fifth consecutive year Calgary has been recognized—a testament to its growing creative economy and film-friendly practices.
“Calgary's continued rise on this prestigious list is a result of our commitment to fostering a creative economy that supports filmmakers and productions of every scale,” said Luke Azevedo, Calgary Film Commissioner and Vice President, Creative Industries and Operations at Calgary Economic Development.
“From our unparalleled landscapes to our globally competitive incentives, we’ve cultivated an ecosystem that empowers local and international productions alike. This recognition is a nod to the collaboration between industry partners, government and Calgary’s vibrant creative community.”
What’s behind Calgary’s top ranking?
MovieMaker bases its annual ranking on criteria including financial incentives, cost of living, feedback from filmmakers, overall happiness and personal visits from their editorial team. Calgary’s top-tier performance is attributed to its friendly business environment, diverse filming locations, award-winning crews and world-class infrastructure.
Calgary topped all other Canadian cities on the list, barring Toronto, which placed second. Ottawa and Vancouver came in at 25th and ninth, respectively.
"Calgary is very welcoming toward filmmakers — even those looking to move there permanently," reads the ranking in MovieMaker Magazine's Winter 2025 edition.
"And its many attractions include a lovely and modern downtown that gives way to stunning natural beauty nearby, from prairies to badlands to the Rockies.”
Incentives offered by the Government of Alberta competitively position the province to attract productions of all sizes and maximize their budgets – with a cap-free 22 per cent credit eligible for all productions and 30 per cent credit accessible by Alberta-based owners or producers. In 2024, the parameters for this advantage were expanded to include unscripted television, game shows and regional incentives, drawing the interest of a broader range of creatives.
2024 a banner year for Calgary
Calgary’s creative talent shone brightly in 2024, with The Last of Us, Prey and Fraggle Rock earning 31 Emmy nominations and nine awards. Additionally, the city's landscapes garnered accolades at the 2024 Location Managers Guild Awards, with The Last of Us winning the award for Outstanding Locations in a Contemporary TV Series.
Further highlighting its global appeal, Calgary was ranked as the fifth most livable city in the world and the top in North America by the Economist Intelligence Unit in 2024. The city is gaining attention as a place that offers not only professional opportunities but also exceptional quality of life.
Currently, Calgary is Canada’s fourth-largest film and TV jurisdiction. Across Alberta, the film and television sector contributed $450 million to the provincial GDP and employed more than 3,200 professionals as of 2023, with the majority of that work happening in and around Calgary.
The local film and TV workforce continues to grow, with 3,000 students graduating annually from creative programs at Mount Royal University, the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, The University of Calgary and Bow Valley College. These schools have also created specific programs to fill skills gaps in Calgary’s creative economy for animation, visual effects, esports and more.
Calgary Film Commission provides world-class support for productions
The Calgary Film Commission and its partners provide services such as location tours, photo packages and sustainable vendor recommendations, ensuring a seamless experience for productions.
With provincial incentives, the services offered by the film commission and the City of Calgary's Film Friendly team, the Blue Sky City stands out as one of the most cost-effective locations for filmmaking in North America.
The city’s upward trajectory shows no signs of slowing. As Calgary continues to attract high-profile productions and global talent, its creative industries remain integral to the city's economic action plan, Uplook, positioning Calgary as a hub for innovation and creativity.
For more information on Calgary’s film and television sector, visit our Creative Industries webpage.