Checkpoint Zoo. Film making under fire needs specialist insurance…
In the first chaotic months of the Russian–Ukrainian war, Kharkiv—Ukraine’s second-largest city—was transformed into a battlefield. Between the advancing Russian forces and the Ukrainian defenders lay Feldman Ecopark, a sprawling animal sanctuary. For years, the park had provided not only a home to exotic and rescued animals, but also therapy programmes for veterans living with PTSD, children with special needs, and vulnerable members of the community.
When shelling intensified, the keepers realised courage alone would not be enough to save the thousands of animals still inside. Together with four young volunteers, they embarked on an extraordinary 71-day rescue, moving over 5,000 animals—including lions, tigers, and other predators—through active conflict to safety.
Producer-supported by luminaries—including Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Davisson—the film won global acclaim, with critics calling it “beautiful and beyond moving.”
A Filmmaker Drawn to a Story of Humanity
Award-winning documentary director Joshua Zeman, known for Cropsey and The Loneliest Whale, was compelled by this account of compassion under fire. Using frontline and zookeeper-shot footage, he captured not just the peril, but the resolve and humanity at the heart of the mission—illuminating the best of what people are capable of in the very worst of circumstances.
Producers Zachary Mortensen, Ian Davies, and Torquil Jones brought their own decades of storytelling expertise, shaping the raw material into a gripping, deeply human narrative.
“This is a film about the victims of war who are usually not seen.” — Joshua Zeman
Festival Accolades: Recognition That Echoes Beyond Screens
Since its Tribeca Film Festival premiere in June 2024—where it was nominated for Best Documentary Feature and took 2nd place in the Audience Award—Checkpoint Zoo has continued to receive acclaim:
- Zelda Penzel “Giving Voice to the Voiceless” Award — Hamptons International Film Festival 2024
- Documentary Achievement Jury Award — Miami Film Festival 2025
- Desert Views Award and Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature — Palm Springs International Film Festival 2025
- Audience Favorite (Documentary) — Mill Valley Film Festival 2025
Coverage Built for People, Not Gear
The risks faced by the Checkpoint Zoo crew were very real: travelling through unstable areas, working under threat of shelling, and operating in conditions with limited medical access. Our role was to provide the cover that keeps people safe, no matter how unpredictable the environment:
- Personal Accident Insurance — financial protection for injury or loss of life on assignment.
- Life Insurance — reassurance for families and dependants.
- Kidnap & Ransom (K&R) — expert-led support if team members are threatened or abducted.
- Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation — ensuring injured or ill personnel receive timely care and transport to safety.
Why Media Professionals Choose Us
Standard travel insurance often excludes cover in war zones or high-risk areas—precisely the places where essential stories are found. Our policies are built to respond where others will not, with no hidden conflict-zone exclusions and a focus on protecting the people who do the work.
“We protect the people who tell the stories the world needs to hear.”
Protecting the Storytellers
Documentaries like Checkpoint Zoo show us that courage isn’t just on the battlefield—it’s also behind the lens, in the volunteers’ vans, and in the hands of those who choose to help. If your next project takes you into unpredictable territory, let’s ensure your crew is personally protected.
FInd out more or get an immediate quote today — insuranceforthemedia.com
Find out more about this Film, screenings, the crew and backstory.
