Calgary is making waves in all kinds of ways lately, and our film industry is no exception. For decades, Calgary and Alberta have been under-the-radar favourites for Hollywood film directors in major motion pictures like Brokeback Mountain, Shanghai Noon and Legends of the Fall. Most recently, Alberta was the filming location of choice for season one of The Last of Us, My Life With the Walter Boys and Die My Love.
A recent announcement by Movie Maker Magazine listed Calgary as the fourth-best city in North America to live and work in the film industry. The inclusion noted that Calgary’s thriving film scene has driven growth up north, and its crews are known for being dependable, capable and experienced. As someone who visited the set of a Stampede-themed Murdoch Mysteries episode in Diamond Valley this past summer, I can definitely confirm that is the case.
Here are a few more reasons why Calgary is such a fantastic city to live, work and play for filmmakers.
Stunning, variable geography
Calgary’s winters may be bitter, but that’s great news for filmmakers looking for snow-filled sets. It’s an ideal province for filming Westerns, as our rolling plains and bright blue skies create an authentic, cinematic backdrop for cowboys and horse-drawn carriages. With the Rocky Mountains and the Drumheller hoodoos in close proximity to Calgary, there is an abundance of variable geographic locales to choose from.
Excellent location scouting
Movie Maker Magazine noted that Calgary has recently enjoyed a major upswing in location-scouting requests. Alberta scouts have access to some of the most beautiful prairie views in the country, and they’re not afraid to hit the road to find all those tucked-away gems. With an abundance of rural communities, vintage grain elevators, and wide open spaces, there’s a lot to uncover in the city and beyond.
Tax credits
The Alberta Film and Television Tax Credit provides a rolling 22 per cent to 30 per cent refund on all expenses related to film and television projects. Plus, they can also be stacked with Canadian federal tax credits, which allow filmmakers to offset up to 35 per cent of their costs. Tack on a lack of provincial sales tax, and Alberta is one of the cheapest places to film in the country. If you’re looking to make a great film on the cheap, there’s truly nowhere better.
Experienced crews
Calgary crews are a hardy bunch, known for being both experienced and capable. I had a first-person look at Alberta film crews in the summer of 2025, when I had the opportunity to go behind the scenes on the set of CBC’s Murdoch Mysteries. The film crew was tight, professional and organized. When things had to get done quickly on set, there were more than a few gaffers and riggers lined up to help. Combine that with experience dealing with extreme weather changes, -20°C winters, and a get ‘er done Alberta disposition — truly nothing can knock these crews down.
Outstanding film festivals
Calgary is home to the Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF) — one of the top festivals in the country — which holds annual screenings and red carpet events. Celebrities like Bif Naked and Tegan and Sara have made appearances at CIFF, and the vibe is known for being cool, casual and comforting. The Calgary Underground Film Festival (CUFF) is also a major staple, and there are a number of arts organizations dedicated to supporting the blossoming film community — including the Canadian Society of Independent Filmmakers (CSIF) and EMMEDIA.
If you have dreams of directing your own full-length feature film, this is the place to be. Why leave?
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