A penguin walked off the set. Just like that. It was done. The crew waited, no fuss, and another penguin stepped in.
“They’re not paid actors,” said Julianne Olivo, Director of Public Relations at Brookfield Zoo, with a laugh. “They won’t always do what you want them to do. But our goal was always: how can we help include animals in filming in a way that works for them?”
For eight days in December, Brookfield Zoo Chicago turned into something else entirely. Crews moved between habitats, lights blinked, and Christmas at the Zoo was in production. It’s not a Hallmark movie, but the spirit is there: penguins, reindeer, and real holiday crowds filling the background. The full-length film was shot entirely on site and produced by Very Merry Entertainment. Distribution’s still being finalized, with a release expected for the 2026 holiday season.
“This will be the first time that anything has been filmed like this where the movie is truly set at the zoo,” Olivo said. “You are at Brookfield Zoo Chicago.”
The production took over more than 25 spaces throughout the park. Crews filmed after hours, on quieter days, and sometimes right in the middle of Holiday Magic, the zoo’s annual light-filled winter celebration.
“They’re actually filming during Holiday Magic,” Olivo said. “So, you get that feeling of a real, populated zoo with authentic guests in the background.”
What Got Filmed (and When)
Filming included about 11 different animal habitats: penguins in Living Coast’s Rocky Shores, gorillas in the Gorilla Conservation Center, reindeer in Hamill Family Wild Encounters, and polar bear Hudson in Great Bear Wilderness. Other locations included the carousel, The Grove dining area, and even the Sweet Center, home to the zoo’s animal care and conservation offices.
“We anticipate about 150 animals representing at least 35 different species to be represented throughout the film,” Olivo said.
Some animals appear in full scenes, like a penguin feeding adventure that guests can actually book in real life. Others make quieter cameos in the background, such as fish in an aquatic habitat or an Amur tiger walking through a scene.
Plans were flexible. “It’s all voluntary participation,” Olivo said. “We’d have penguins rotate in and out depending on how long they stayed engaged. And if something didn’t work for the animals, we’d flag the scene and find a way to film adjacent to the habitat instead.”
People You Might Recognize
Zoo staff and volunteers were invited to appear as extras. Olivo appears in one scene. So does Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s president and CEO, Dr. Mike Adkesson, along with his wife and daughter.
Matt Cohen, who plays the lead animal care expert, spent his day off shadowing zoo staff. “They couldn’t have cast a better person for the role,” Olivo said. “He really connected with our mission and our team members.”
One favorite behind-the-scenes moment? “Our photographer has this really funny photo of me using my cell phone light for the makeup team while they were giving someone a touch-up,” Olivo said. “No role was too small for anyone.”
Scripted, But Still Real
Brookfield Zoo wasn’t just the setting, it helped shape the story.
Olivo said the zoo worked directly with the production team on the script, making sure animal care was portrayed accurately and in the zoo’s own voice. “They even referenced our conservation efforts in Punta San Juan, Peru,” she said.
The film even slips in a few teachable moments; like correcting the common myth that penguins and polar bears live together in the wild.
“They don’t,” Olivo said. “The species we care for come from totally different parts of the world. It’s a small detail, but it’s an opportunity to educate.”
A Movie That Feels Like the Zoo
The story was written with Brookfield Zoo Chicago in mind. The writer and producer went to school locally, and Olivo said many crew members had grown up visiting the zoo. “There were a lot of really personal memories being shared,” she said.
What surprised her most was being part of the creative process.
“Being able to actually have a role in the script, and even recommend locations to film— that’s something I didn’t expect,” Olivo said. “It just showed how collaborative the whole process really was.”
And when the film is finally released?
“For local viewers, we hope they have a sense of pride,” she said. “And for people who’ve never been here, maybe it sparks curiosity. Maybe it shows what kind of care and passion our team puts into the animals here.”