Why Knoxville is among the top 10 small cities for filmmakers, according to MovieMaker magazine
Knoxville has had an official film office for less than a decade, so it's a testament to the staff's hard work that the city has been named one of the best places to live and work as a filmmaker multiple times.
This year marks the fourth time Knoxville has made MovieMaker's list, coming in No. 6 on the magazine's annual list of the top 10 small cities to live and work as a moviemaker.
The list, MovieMaker says, is not about obvious choices like Los Angeles or New York. Instead, it’s about "helping you make the best decisions − for you − about the best places to live and work as a moviemaker."
To that end, the list is meant to help filmmakers find a livable, affordable community with enough film, TV or commercial jobs to pay the bills so they can focus their energy on making their own projects.
MovieMaker compiles the list through questionnaires to film commissions, talks with moviemakers and research into financial incentives, cost of living, and overall happiness, as well as with in-person visits, whenever possible.
Why does MovieMaker say Knoxville is a great small town for filmmakers?
MovieMaker noted that Knoxville has lured an impressive number of recent TV projects, from true crime like TV One’s "Fatal Attraction"and Oxygen’s "Snapped" to educational Sesame Street fare for Max like "Cookie Monster’s Bake Sale."
Films that have taken advantage recently of the region’s natural beauty include the Hallmark Channel’s"Love in the Great Smoky Mountains: A National Park Romance,"which featured Knoxville. And recent documentary standouts include Knoxville-based filmmaker Curren Sheldon’s "Country Brawlers," a look at rural boxing in Central Appalachia that won the Best Tennessee Feature last year at the Nashville Film Festival.
"Filmmakers are drawn by very professional, experienced crews and by the many gorgeous locations," the magazine said, adding, "It’s free to film in city-owned locations, including parks, downtown Market Square and Gay Street, as well as in the very photogenic Augusta Quarry."
Knoxville's revived Film Fest gets accolades
The inaugural Film Fest Knox held in November has filled the void left by the Knoxville Film Festival, which discontinued in 2022 after 19 years.
"This festival − started by the Visit Knoxville Film Office, Public Cinema, and the locally based Regal Theaters − introduced the American Regional Film Competition to showcase great work from outside New York City and Hollywood that is too often overlooked," MovieMaker wrote, noting the winner of the competition received an Oscar-qualifying 10-city, two-week run in Regal cinemas.
“Film Fest Knox was a crowning achievement, showcasing everything from local filmmakers to welcoming talented producers from hubs such as Miami and Los Angeles," said Visit Knoxville President Kim Bumpas.
MovieMaker's list of best small cities and town to live and work as a moviemaker
Santa Fe, N.M.
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Savannah, Ga.
Wilmington, N.C.
Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada
Knoxville
Boulder, Colo.
Las Cruces, N.M.
Saint Petersburg, Fla.
Richmond, Va.
Liz Kellar is a Tennessee Connect reporter. Email liz.kellar@knoxnews.com.
Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knoxville, TN named a top 10 small city for filmmakers by MovieMaker
