Alexander Zimmer and Jeremy Handrup, lifelong friends from Chicago, are emerging talents in the film industry. Jeremy's passion for photography began at the age of nine, leading him to study at Cornell University and the Art Institute of Chicago. Alexander discovered his love for cinema during his undergraduate years at the University of Pennsylvania and furthered his studies at NYU.

Their collaborative journey began in 2016 while both were in graduate school, resulting in their first joint project being showcased at Art Basel Miami. Over the past six years, they have refined their unique style, working on a diverse range of projects including documentaries, advertisements, reality TV, and news, and have both worked on short films as DPs.

In 2019, they co-founded Folio Films, a film production company and marketing agency. Their inaugural short film produced and directed through Folio Films, "Don't Forget to Say Goodbye," exemplifies their dedication to exploring the complexities of family, relationships, and the profound emotions woven into life's most essential experiences. Alexander and Jeremy's work is a testament to their enduring friendship and shared vision, consistently striving to deliver compelling and impactful storytelling.

From the Filmmaker

In 'Don't Forget To Say Goodbye,' we set out to explore the poignant journey of loss, family, and the open road. Through the lens of our protagonist's emotional odyssey between New York City and Chicago, we delve into the complexities of grief and growth, inviting audiences to contemplate the universal themes of acceptance and gratitude.

At its heart, our film grapples with the profound experience of losing a loved one to cancer and the intricate dynamics of parent-child relationships. Through the eyes of our protagonist, we navigate the delicate balance between longing for a perfect relationship with a parent and finding solace in accepting it for what it is. It's a narrative that acknowledges the inherent imperfections of human connection and celebrates the beauty of embracing them. Visually, 'Don't Forget To Say Goodbye' pays homage to the forgotten landscapes of America, particularly the Rust Belt, seeking to capture the overlooked beauty of the mundane.

Inspired by the works of classic American artists like Andrew Wyeth and Edward Hopper, we aim to portray the raw authenticity of the American experience, even when it diverges from societal ideals. Our film serves as a love letter to these landscapes and relationships, urging viewers to find beauty and meaning in the imperfect and the overlooked.

The film was made by 4 childhood friends who grew up in Chicago. All of our actors are from Chicago and all of our crew is from Chicago. The story is about a young man living in NY who has to drive back home to Chicago to say goodbye to his dying father, so the trip to Chicago in and of itself plays an integral role in the piece. There is one scene at the end that is a particular love letter to Chicago, as the main character arrives after a 14 hour drive to his hometown. I have lived this story, as I currently live back and forth between NY and Chicago and drive home a lot with my dog. The feeling of getting to Chicago was one of the most important for me to attempt to capture in this film, and one that I think many Chicagoans can relate to as they are coming home after a long journey.