One thing to do Thursday: Watch exotic animals onscreen

The Third Annual New York Wildlife Conservation Film Festival kicks off tonight. Here's what to expect.

By Sarah Bruning Thu Jan 31 2013

Third Annual New York Wildlife Conservation Film Festival Photograph: Wildlife Conservation Film Festivals

Take a break from watching Oscar bait (or thinking up the latest Argo pun) to catch a few of the screenings at the Third Annual New York Wildlife Conservation Film Festival. Through Saturday, you can peep nature-focused shorts on all sorts of exotic creatures both big (whales, Asian elephants) and small (koalas, sea turtles and—our favorite—sloths). Each showing lasts for two hours and costs $18, though you can also opt for a $175 unlimited pass. Capping off the fest is an awards ceremony and all-star panel (Feb 2 9pm; $40), which features notables like CBS correspondent Bob Simon and National Geographic journalist Bryan Christy.

The festival may not include animals of the New York City wild (bodega cats! small yappy dogs!), but we're still pretty excited.