Las Cruces Among Three New Mexico cities named ‘Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker’ for 2026 

Las Cruces, NM Named One of MovieMaker’s Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker for the 4th Year in a Row

LAS CRUCES, NM – January 14, 2026 – Film Las Cruces today announced that the City of Las Cruces has been named one of the Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker in 2026!  This marks the fourth year in a row the city has been listed in the top ten film towns in America.

On set in Las Cruces. The feature film “Generational Difficulties” wrapped production in Las Cruces this summer, employing over 40 New Mexicans.  

MovieMaker compiles its annual list based on surveys, production spending, tax incentives, additional research, and personal visits, whenever possible. 

2025 was a busy year for the Las Cruces region which included 8 feature films including Milla Jovovich’s Protector and the Night Driver starring David Arquette as well as the television series Ride with Norman Reedus.

2025 also saw NMSU break ground on a $25 million dollar soundstage studio facility!  The 45,000 square foot studio will be instrumental in attracting larger film productions to the region.  When complete, this state of the art film production facility will be further complimented by the new Doña Ana Community College studio located next door, that has a motion capture studio, office space, and a 4000 sq. ft. soundstage.

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State Senator and Film Las Cruces President Jeff Steinborn applauded the high level recognition from MovieMaker Magazine, “Las Cruces is thrilled to once again be listed amongst America’s top film towns. We’re proud to show off our amazing locations, crew, and great customer service to productions coming here from across the world. There’s no better place to film than New Mexico!”

Andrew Jara, Film Liaison for Film Las Cruces, added  “2025 was such a great year for Las Cruces, we were able to break ground on a new film studio as well as welcome a steady stream of great film productions to our community.  Las Cruces continues to show that we have everything the film industry is looking for from the welcoming crews, diverse locations and a full service film office.”

Check out the full story in the url, below:

https://www.moviemaker.com/best-places-moviemaker-2026

Here’s the list of MovieMaker’s Best Small Cities and Towns to Live and Work as a Moviemaker in 2026:

New Mexico Film Office Release

Santa Fe, NM—Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Las Cruces have once again been named to MovieMaker Magazine’s prestigious annual list of the Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker. 

The recognition reaffirms New Mexico’s standing as a global media powerhouse,  even amid a global film industry slowdown. 

Santa Fe took the first spot in the small cities category for the fourth consecutive year. Albuquerque ranked second in the large cities category – their eighth year on the list. Las Cruces was listed sixth in the small cities and towns category — up two spots from last year. 

The MovieMaker evaluation weighs factors like production activity, the strength of the area’s film incentives, cost of living, and access to a sophisticated workforce. 

Together, these three cities form a statewide ecosystem that supports filmmakers at every stage — from independent creators to massive studio tentpoles. 

Albuquerque, ranked second in the large cities category, with its massive studio infrastructure and deep crew base, offers year-round reliability. 

“When productions come to Albuquerque, they find more than great locations,” said Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller. “They find skilled crews, a city that welcomes the industry, and a place where filmmakers and their families can thrive.” 

Santa Fe, ranked first in the small cities and towns category for the fourth consecutive year, blends rich cultural history and unique visual aesthetic with a world-renowned quality of life. 

“Being named the #1 city the fourth year in a row is a testament to Santa Fe’s vibrant creative culture and our deep commitment to the film and television industry,” said Santa Fe Mayor Michael Garcia. “Film production creates quality jobs, supports local businesses, and strengthens Santa Fe’s role as a year-round destination for creative production.” 

Las Cruces, listed sixth in the small cities and towns category, is the industry’s rising star, known for its scenic vistas, emerging local talent, and a filmmaker-friendly environment. 

“Las Cruces is thrilled to be listed once again amongst America’s top film towns,” State Senator and Film Las Cruces President Jeff Steinborn, “We’re proud to show off our amazing locations, crew, and great customer service to productions coming here from across the world. There’s no better place to film than New Mexico!” 

“As someone who returned to New Mexico after years in the California film industry, I can confirm the amazing opportunities our state offers,” said Steve Graham, director of the New Mexico Film Office. “Our varied locations, talented workforce, and attractive incentives continue to draw productions of all sizes. This recognition highlights what many filmmakers already know: New Mexico is one of the top places in the world to pursue a career in film.” 

For the full list of Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker in 2026, visit MovieMaker.com.