‘Checkpoint Zoo’ To Hit VOD For One Day In Honor Of World Animal Day

EXCLUSIVE: Joshua Zeman’s Oscar-contending documentary Checkpoint Zoo will become available to rent at home this Saturday to mark World Animal Day, Abramorama and GATHR announced today.

Under the special arrangement, the film documenting the heroic effort to rescue zoo animals stranded by the war in Ukraine will be available for viewing globally through the GATHR Direct To Audience Video-On-Demand platform for 24 hours only, with 20 percent of proceeds going to organizations that protect animals and the people that care for them.

The four nonprofits that will benefit from the one-day VOD release are Mercy For Animals, Not One More Vet, Feldman EcoPark, and International Fund for Animal Welfare. Feldman EcoPark, located in eastern Ukraine only a few kilometers from the Russian border, is where the dramatic events of Checkpoint Zoo take place. After Russia launched its full-scale invasion of its peaceful neighbor in 2022, zoo workers and local volunteers rushed to save thousands of animals at imminent risk of annihilation from missile attacks and shelling.

“Checkpoint Zoo represents everything we believe in at Abramorama—powerful storytelling that drives meaningful change,” Abramorama CEO Karol Martesko-Fenster said in a statement. “By partnering with GATHR and the team behind the film for this special World Animal Day release, we’re not only bringing this incredible story of courage and compassion directly to audiences nationwide, but we’re also supporting the vital work of organizations that protect animals and the heroes who care for them every day.”

The documentary is a production of Ghost Robot in association with Noah Media Group Limited and Appian Way — the company founded by Leonardo DiCaprio. Checkpoint Zoo is executive produced by Barry Smith, Catherine Quantschnigg, Gabriel Clarke, John McKenna, Bonamy Grimes, Shawn Singh, Jennifer Davisson, Phillip Watson, and Leonardo DiCaprio. The film is continuing its Oscar-qualifying run around the country, playing in more than two dozen markets.

“War by definition is created to strip away our humanity,” Zeman noted at a recent Q&A in Los Angeles. “In saving these animals, these people found their humanity again… It’s not like you’re saving other people. You’re saving something that’s completely innocent, and that gave them the bravery and the courage to do what they did [against] incredible odds.”

Zeman added, “We’ve seen many films about war. We’ve seen many films about the war in Ukraine. But when we look at this story through the eyes of animals, it just resonates differently. It hits differently… You can’t even put your finger on it exactly.”

Feldman EcoPark was founded by Ukrainian businessman and politician Oleksandr Feldman. Following the invasion, as the film shows, he worked with teams to transfer some of the animals to his home for temporary protection. Back at the EcoPark, rescuers had to anesthetize large animals and predators like lions and tigers to prepare them for evacuation to other zoos; they didn’t lose a single animal in that delicate operation.

“The good news is that animals are really adaptive,” Zeman said at the Q&A. “When I was there, very early in the game, animals were jumpy. They wouldn’t eat; they’re freaked out. And now a lot of those animals are doing quite well and they’re returning to their original selves, much like people.”

Deep Dhillon, managing director at Mercy For Animals – one of the VOD release beneficiary organizations — said, “The courage of those in Checkpoint Zoo reflects the compassion we strive for every day, and we are thankful that this special release supports Mercy For Animals’ ongoing work to create a kinder world for all animals.”

“Checkpoint Zoo reveals the extraordinary dedication of those who will sacrifice everything to protect animals—an experience that resonates deeply with caregivers everywhere,” commented Gina Papabeis, the film’s lead impact producer. “We’re proud that this special release window not only shares their story with a wider audience but also drives real-world impact for our NGO partners.”

Checkpoint Zoo has won numerous awards at festivals around the world, including two prizes at the Palm Springs International Film Festival and the Audience Award at Tribeca Festival. Zeman is taking the film to Ukraine this month for screenings in Kyiv and Kharkiv.

“The tragedy is that we can’t show the film in a theater because you’re not allowed to show films in enclosed spaces because of fear of bombs,” Zeman said.

This is the 100^th anniversary of World Animal Day, an event launched by Heinrich Zimmermann in Berlin in 1925. The October 4^th date coincides with the feast day for St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.