biography

Jim Laczkowski is a Chicago-based librarian, filmmaker, writer, musician, and podcaster. He founded the Now Playing Network and programs music and film-related events for the Chicago Public Library. He is also a writer and member of the Chicago Film Critics Association and helps maintain the Chicago Critics Film Festival website. Since he was a teenager, he has recorded and produced several records of his own, in addition to teaching music in a variety of settings. He has appeared on several AM talk radio shows such as WGN, has been a guest on many pop culture podcasts, and has contributed to several blogs and publications discussing a love of film and music. Jim is also currently in production on a mental health documentary about how the arts prevented him from taking his own life, in addition to detailing his near death experience. One of the more successful endeavors happens to be the Director's Club Substack which currently has over 250 paid readers and over 500 subscribers that engage with his work on a regular basis. In addition, there are over 25,000 subscribers to the podcast of the same name, available through all streaming platforms. You can also view his short films over on Vimeo.