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TORCH ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF PRODUCTION ON THE FROZEN ZOO DOCUMENTARY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SAN DIEGO ZOO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE

San Diego, CA — Torch Entertainment is proud to announce the completion of production on The Frozen Zoo, a groundbreaking documentary created in collaboration with the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. This powerful film highlights one of the most visionary and impactful conservation efforts on the planet.

The story of The Frozen Zoo begins more than 50 years ago, when Dr. Kurt Benirschke—world-renowned geneticist and pioneer in conservation biology—first conceived the idea of preserving tissue samples from endangered and threatened animals in cryogenic labs. At the time, the concept was revolutionary. Dr. Benirschke and his team could not have imagined the scientific breakthroughs that would one day make these preserved samples essential tools in the global fight to prevent species extinction.

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Today, The Frozen Zoo houses one of the world's largest and most diverse collections of living animal cell lines, placing the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance at the forefront of conservation science, reproductive technology, and species recovery.

The documentary revisits Dr. Benirschke's visionary work through archival footage and heartfelt stories from several of his colleagues and protégés—many of whom continue to lead scientific innovation at the San Diego Zoo. Their efforts are helping bring endangered species back from the brink and shaping the future of wildlife conservation.

Filmmaker Frank J. Torchia, President of Torch Entertainment, was inspired to take on this project by his lifelong love of animals and passion for telling meaningful, real-world stories.

"I visited the San Diego Zoo many times as a father with my children," Torchia said. "But once I learned the extraordinary behind-the-scenes work these researchers and scientists are doing, I knew this was a story the world needed to hear. Their dedication is nothing short of heroic."

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The documentary is directed by award-winning filmmaker Jeffrey B. Mallian, best known for producing the first Leprechaun movie, and edited by award-winning editor Dave Wilson. Together with Torch Entertainment, they have crafted a cinematic, emotional, and scientifically rich story that will captivate audiences globally.

The Frozen Zoo is slated for release in mid-2026, with plans for a worldwide festival run, broadcast partnerships, and educational distribution.

About Torch Entertainment

Torch Entertainment is an award-winning U.S. film and television production company focused on impactful storytelling, documentary filmmaking, and high-quality narrative programming.

Media Contact:

Torch Entertainment
Frank J. Torchia, President
Email: frank@torchentertain.com
Phone: 602-363-0935