The annual hunt for a cinematic haven is on, and this year, Moviemaker Magazine throws away the map – forget Hollywood daydreams and New York nightmares! Their new article, “The Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker” skips the tired giants and dives into vibrant, hidden gems pulsating with indie spirit and welcoming arms for filmmakers of all stripes.

Los Angeles and New York City? They bask in their Hall of Fame glow, their magnetism undeniable. But Moviemaker whispers a warning: escape their gravitational pull, especially in your formative years. Stuck in their orbit? Don’t settle for another Big Apple – forge your own path! Seek out dynamic, affordable homes where film/TV/commercial gigs keep the lights on, but prioritize low living costs, short commutes, and minimal existential dread (though, beach naps are always encouraged).

Look for scenes with independent energy, where festivals flourish and tax breaks beckon. Befriend your tribe, collaborate on shoestring budgets, and build a network of favors (a short film cameo today might land you a feature lead tomorrow). Expand your cinematic family, from El Paso’s burgeoning scene to Philadelphia’s accessible talent pool (the Amtrak’s quiet car doubles as a mobile script lab, just sayin’).

Break free from the soul-sucking cycle of industry-adjacent gigs in places like Albuquerque, Cleveland, or Dallas. Here, a good job can buy you a house for the price of a New York one-bedroom – imagine shooting your masterpiece in your own backyard!

But hold your horses, aspiring auteurs! When agents and studio execs demand daily face-to-face meetings, then, and only then, consider gracing those industry titans with your presence. Conquer Hollywood, keep a pied-à-terre there, and roam free for the rest of your time.

This annual guide, a tapestry woven from film commission surveys and filmmaker interviews, unlocks a treasure trove of possibilities beyond the usual suspects. Remember, there’s no Shangri-La with endless sunshine and job offers galore. But Moviemaker has meticulously curated a spectrum of cinematic havens to help you find your ideal creative crucible. 

This is your passport to living and breathing cinema, outside the studio gates. Explore, create, and thrive. Your masterpiece awaits, not on Sunset Boulevard, but in the unexpected corners of your chosen cinematic home. Here’s the full list created by Moviemaker.

MovieMaker’s Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker 2024: Big Cities

25. DALLAS, TEXAS 

24. SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

23. KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI 

22. HONOLULU, HAWAII

21. MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE 

20. BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

19. TULSA, OKLAHOMA

18. CLEVELAND, OHIO

17. CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA

16. BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

15. PORTLAND, OREGON

14. SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH

13. PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA

12. PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA

11. CINCINNATI, OHIO 

10. MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA

9. CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

8. CALGARY, ALBERTA, CANADA

7. MIAMI, FLORIDA 

6. ATLANTA, GEORGIA

5. VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

4. AUSTIN, TEXAS

3. NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA

2. ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO

1. TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA

MovieMaker’s Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker 2024: Smaller Cities and Towns

10. RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

9. ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA

8. LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO

7. BOULDER, COLORADO

6. KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE

5. KAMLOOPS, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

4. WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA

3. SAVANNAH, GEORGIA 

2. FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA

1. SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO