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…