Santa Fe Honored as Top Small City to Live and Work as a Moviemaker

Santa Fe Honored as Top Small City to Live and Work as a Moviemaker

For the third year in a row, Santa Fe tops an exclusive list in MovieMaker magazine: The Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker in all of North America, Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. Santa Fe holds the honor as the number one small city for moviemakers in 2025, it also received the same distinction in 2023 and 2024.

The Winter 2025 issue features a photo of Santa Fe while highlighting its accolades in the film industry. Santa Fe is home to the first indigenous-owned film studio, Camel Rock Studios. Santa Fe County is also home to Santa Fe Studios, a full-service film television studio facility with world-class soundstages, and the recently approved development of Aspect Media Village at its Midtown Campus. Aspect Media Village is a new studio complex located adjacent to Garson Studios featuring two 22,000-square-foot soundstages.

Santa Fe Film Commissioner Jennifer LaBar-Tapia says, "Santa Fe's recognition as the #1 Best Place to Live and Work as a Filmmaker for the third year in a row is a testament to our thriving film industry, unique cultural landscape, and the incredible talent that calls this region home, this honor reflects the commitment of our community, industry partners, and leadership to fostering creativity, innovation, and opportunity for filmmakers in Santa Fe."

Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber says, "Like a great motion picture, Santa Fe continues to win award after award. For the third year in a row, we've been named the top small city for moviemakers to live and work. On top of the unanimous vote to move forward with the Aspect Media Village at Midtown, this recognition means we'll remain a leader in the film industry. And that will mean good jobs and great opportunities for our residents for years to come."

Santa Fe County Commission Chairwoman Camilla Bustamante reacted to the accolades in Moviemaker Magazine, saying, "Santa Fe's recognition as the top small city for the film industry-now for the third consecutive year-showcases our talent and commitment to this thriving sector" said Bustamante. "With local and regional colleges training a skilled workforce, the development of world-class film locations and sound stages, and the support of robust state tax incentives, Santa Fe is a premier destination where the film industry truly flourishes."

The City of Santa Fe is not only home to robust industry resources, but also incredible local film crews, film talent that call the Santa Fe region home, extensive industry partnerships, and seven western sets. Film productions have access to world-class locations, scenic high desert landscapes, alpines, and iconic film sets, as well as top-tier resources such as cutting-edge sound stages.

The Santa Fe Film Office (SFFO) was jointly established by the City and County of Santa Fe on July 1, 2016. The mission of the Santa Fe Film Office is to service, recruit, and expand film and television production throughout the Santa Fe region; support and develop community businesses providing goods and services to the industry; engage in community outreach and education regarding production activity; and work with partners in the public and private sectors to expand educational and employment opportunities in the production industry for local residents.

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