MovieMaker Magazine has unveiled its annual list of the Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker for 2026, once again highlighting the cities and towns across North America where filmmakers are most likely to find sustainable careers, creative communities, and the chance to tell their own stories.
Three New Mexico cities earned spots on the 2026 rankings, reinforcing the state’s position as one of the most film-friendly regions in the United States. Santa Fe ranked No. 1 among Best Smaller Cities and Towns for the fourth consecutive year; Albuquerque placed No. 2 among Big Cities; and Las Cruces continued its ascent as a fast-growing production hub, landing at No. 6 on the Smaller Cities and Towns list.
Best Small Cities and Towns to Live and Work as a Moviemaker 2026:
- Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Providence, Rhode Island
- Kamloops, Canada
- Santa Clarita, California
- Las Cruces, New Mexico
- Savannah, Georgia
- Knoxville, Tennessee
- St. Petersburg, Florida
- Ashland, Oregon
Best Big Cities to Live and Work as a Moviemaker 2026:
- Toronto, Canada
- Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Chicago, Illinois
- Calgary, Canada
- Austin, Texas
- Vancouver, Canada
- Dallas, Texas
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Houston, Texas
Santa Fe’s Film Scene Continues to Thrive
With a population of about 90,000, Santa Fe remains a top choice for filmmakers, thanks to its unique mix of history, culture, and a thriving film scene. The city continues to attract major productions, having gained further recognition as a filming location for Oppenheimer.
Recently, Santa Fe has welcomed productions such as AMC’s Dark Winds, Netflix’s Ransom Canyon, Amazon’s Joseph of Egypt, and Apple’s The Lost Bus, starring Matthew McConaughey and America Ferrera.
The city’s infrastructure also supports its growing film industry. In addition to the Bonanza Creek and Mortenson’s Eaves movie ranches, it offers two 19,125-square-foot sound stages at Santa Fe Studios, as well as northern New Mexico’s largest studio space, Aspect Media Village, which has six soundstages totaling 75,000 square feet, as well as apartments, office space, yoga, electric car charging, and more.
These resources, combined with New Mexico’s highly competitive film incentives — offering tax credits of up to 35% — make the city an attractive location for studios and independent filmmakers alike.
Beyond its production infrastructure, Santa Fe offers a long-standing and lively film culture. The Santa Fe International Film Festival continues to gain national recognition for championing both local voices and international talent.
Outside of festival season, film fans can ride the Sky Railway train line featured in Oppenheimer, co-owned by Magnolia Pictures founder Bill Banowsky, who also owns Sky Cinemas, including a new state-of-the-art theater at Aspect Media Village. They can also catch new releases and repertory screenings at the Jean Cocteau Cinema or browse the aisles at Beastly Books — all owned by locally based Game of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin.
A Leading Film Destination, Year After Year
With its stunning landscapes, artistic community, and convenient direct flights to Los Angeles, Santa Fe continues to draw moviemakers seeking an inspiring environment for filming.
MovieMaker Magazine compiles its annual rankings based on industry surveys, production spending, tax incentives, independent research, and personal location visits whenever possible. The full 2026 list is available at MovieMaker.com.
This article was posted by Jesse Williams
