Edmonton ranks as one of the best places to live as a filmmaker: MovieMaker Magazine

You’ve likely heard about the HBO series “The Last of Us”, or the independent horror film “Skinamarink“, both are two big examples of projects filmed fully or partially in Alberta’s capital.

Edmonton was ranked as one of the best places to live and work as a movie maker in 2026, according to a movie and TV show magazine. This is great news for experienced and aspiring filmmakers in the city.

“Edmonton has always been an art city, you know,” said Anthony Melgar, an Alberta Film School student.

Melgar is not surprised to see this article from MovieMaker Magazine.

“I find that having that new recent spotlight on this industry here in the city really just helps, like put a battery in it, and I find that the new creatives are kind of carrying that way of into the future,” said Melgar.

Canadian cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary have made the list before, but this is a first for Edmonton. Coming in at number 22 on the top 25 places to live and work as a movie maker in North America.

“You don’t need a lot of money to make something that’s really good and recognized,” said Jamie McRae, the cinematographer of Skinamarink.

McRae was part of the team that created Skinamarink. The 2022 horror film was shot entirely in Edmonton with a $15,000 budget. The film earned $2 million.

MovieMaker Magazine points to its success as a reason for Edmonton to make the list.

“I mean, we made it for an incredibly small budget. We didn’t get any grant funding for and we had to crowdfund it … if you are really passionate about an idea and you really believe in it and you have the right kind of mindset towards making something good that you can make,” said McRae.

Already, this momentum is being noticed at local film schools.

“What we’re seeing here in Edmonton is a big shift. People of all ages like our programs; our youngest students are, you know, 16, 17, 18. Our oldest student was 83. People are getting into this industry no matter what their age is, and they’re seeing that spark. They’re like I can do this,” said Muhamed Khattab, the director fo the Alberta Film School.

With local cinemas ready to showcase homegrown talent.

Dan Smith, the executive director of Metro Cinema says, “That’s huge for us because what we’re hoping is that more people from around Edmonton are going to come out and see those films and they’re actually going to get to see on the big screen that kind of work that people in their own community are doing and telling you know stories that are coming from right here in Edmonton.”

Alberta’s Arts and Culture Minister Tanya Fir is celebrating Calgary climbing to the number four spot and Edmonton making the list, saying, “From independent films to major international productions, all eyes are on alberta as we continue to be a competitive, world-class hub for film and television.”