Toronto is the best place to live and work as a moviemaker this year: report
Hollywood is known for its rich film industry but Toronto may be pushing Tinseltown out of the limelight, as it was just named the best place to live – and work – as a moviemaker.
MovieMaker magazine revealed its annual list of the top places to live and work for the year, and while it does note Los Angeles and New York City are hall-of-famers for the industry, it suggests starting off in a “livable, affordable community with enough film, TV or commercial jobs to pay the bills – and with the lowest possible cost of living, the shortest possible commute, and the least general stress.”
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
To compile this list, the magazine sifts through questionnaires sent to film commissions, as well as discussions with moviemakers. It also takes into consideration the cost of living, overall happiness and research into financial incentives.
While three other Canadian cities cracked the list – Montreal, Que. in 10th and Calgary, Alta. in eighth, and Vancouver, B.C. in fifth – Toronto reigns supreme in first, beating out notable American cities like Chicago, Miami and Philadelphia. In 2023, Toronto ranked fourth, following New Orleans, Vancouver and Atlanta.
“Naming Toronto #1 is a recognition of the extraordinary talent that lives here, both artistic and technical, the world-class soundstages, and the boundless capacity our industry has built through years of creativity, innovation, and achievement,” Film Commissioner and Director of Entertainment Industries, Marguerite Pigott, told CTV News Toronto in an emailed statement.
“It’s a celebration of everyone in Toronto’s creative community, and beyond, to those who invest, place their faith, and help Toronto grow from strength to strength.”
Outside of holding the reputable Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), MovieMaker says Toronto is regularly seen across our TV screens.
“With productions from Amazon Prime Video’s ‘The Boys’ and ‘Cruel Intentions’ to ‘Reacher’ to Paramount’s ‘Star Trek’ franchise to Hulu’s ‘What We Do In The Shadows’ to Netflix’s ‘Umbrella Academy,’ Toronto hosts just about every entertainment giant, thanks in large part to its more than 2 million square feet of studio space and ability to double for countless locations around the world,” the magazine said, adding the city is also getting its own version of ‘Law & Order’ soon.
The city also received praise for being a “booming, no-nonsense film and TV capital,” employing 35,000 workers in these sectors and hometown to notable filmmakers like Sarah Polley and David Cronenberg.
The magazine also pointed to Toronto’s strong union presence, quick turnaround times, rental facilities and local film programs as contributing factors to being a great place to live for those working in the industry.
“We could go on and on, but really: Just turn on your TV.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
Ippei Mizuhara, ex-interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani, pleads guilty in sports betting case
The former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud Wednesday in a sports betting case where prosecutors allege he stole US$16 million from the Japanese baseball player to pay off debts.
Steve Albini, legendary producer for Nirvana, the Pixies and an alternative rock pioneer, dies at 61
Steve Albini, an alternative rock pioneer and legendary producer who shaped the musical landscape through his work with Nirvana, the Pixies, PJ Harvey and more, has died. He was 61.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.