Top Spot at Chicago Film Office Finally Filled: Chicago Native Natasha Olguin Tapped for Key Cultural Post

After a nearly six-month vacancy at the helm, the Chicago Film Office has a new leader.

Chicago native Natasha Olguin has been named deputy commissioner of the office, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced Tuesday.

Olguin, CEO and founder of Noisemakers Entertainment, has deep roots within the Chicago film community as a producer, location manager, writer and director. She was named to New City’s Film 50 honor roll in 2024.

Her credits include “Heist 88,” “The Chi” and “Man of Steel.”

“Natasha is a trailblazer in the industry, and a passionate advocate for community development,” DCASE Commissioner Clinée Hedspeth said in a statement. “Her achievements and entrepreneurial skills are nicely aligned for the film office to expand Chicago as a creative hub for filmmakers and to view the backdrop of the city and its many communities as a beautiful place with a rich vibrancy.”

Olguin replaces Jonah Zeiger, who was ousted as deputy commissioner in December 2024.

The Chicago Film Office works both to attract film productions — movies, TV series, commercials, etc. — to the city and to support them as a one-stop liaison for permits, logistical services and more.

The annual economic value of Chicago’s film industry is routinely pegged at more than $600 million. Current marquee productions include “The Bear” and Dick Wolf’s Chicago Fire, PD and Med franchises.

There has been a fair amount of churn within the film office in recent years. Rick Moskal, who led the office for more than two decades, stepped down in 2018. His successor, Kwame Amoaku, left the post in 2022 to take a similar gig in New York City. Zeiger was appointed to fill Amoaku’s vacancy.

Contact Patty Wetli: @pattywetli | (773) 509-5623 |  pwetli@wttw.com