Vancouver: The West Coast often ranks high on the list of the United Nation’s best places to live. Now Vancouver is topping the list of locations for indie filmmakers, according to the third annual ranking by L.A.-based MovieMaker Magazine. Toronto rates second, beating other locations such as New York and Los Angeles.

‘Vancouver is a totally great place to be an indie,’ says local filmmaker Pat Harrison (Sex, Drugs, Love, Marx) in the article, citing the city’s ‘huge’ base of facilities, acting talent and crew and ‘steady’ stream of jobs, courtesy of subsidized Canadian productions and American projects lured in by the exchange rate. He also mentions the low cost of living and the temperate climate with very little snow in the city.’

Other production perks: Vancouver has ‘a strong arts community, unbeatable natural beauty, hash bars, a nude beach, a mayor who consults for Da Vinci’s Inquest, a pro-arts government and a downtown with a crazy edge.’

Criteria for the unscientific study ranged from a tallying of dollars, talent and available gear, labs and post-production facilities to basic quality of life issues such as housing costs and cultural opportunities, says writer Lenny Smith, adding that he took special notice of film communities that ‘made the most noise – one of the most logical barometers of local enthusiasm for indie work and movie culture.’

Toronto is ranked lower than Vancouver because Toronto is more competitive, the mag says

‘In Toronto, although you have an incredible network of support, the competition is much greater, so it’s harder to see a film realized,’ says producer Tracey Boulton (Coldwater) in the article.

Vancouver topped the magazine’s first list in 2001 and was second last year when New York City was picked best.

Winners for 2003 are:

1. Vancouver, BC: ‘A moviemaker’s dream – huge base of talent, temperate climate’

2. Toronto, ON: ‘Diversity, natural beauty, low cost of living, world-class facilities’

3. New York, NY: ‘Indie capital of U.S. – great, mutually supportive community’

4. Austin, TX: ‘Geographic variety, cultural amenities, top-notch digital facilities’

5. Philadelphia, PA: ‘Rich in history, architecture; low-cost lifestyle, eager crews’

6. Chicago, IL: ‘Big-city advantages with small-town, film-friendly attitude’

7. Los Angeles, CA: ‘California First and STAR programs turn LA more indie-friendly’

8. Las Vegas, NV: ‘Large influx of talent; supportive state commissions, low costs’

9. Portland, OR: ‘Easy networking, interested audiences, ‘ability to survive on art”

10. Richmond, VA: ‘Fast-growing, culturally diverse, awareness of film community’

Honorable mention:

* Indianapolis, IN: ‘Commercial production houses, viable locales, healthy arts scene’

* Seattle, WA: ‘Reinvigorated grassroots support; always informed audiences’

-www.moviemaker.com