New York, April 22, 2026 — The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) tonight kicked off the Reel Wild™️ Festival in NYC in style tonight with a vibrant VIP celebration, bringing together filmmakers, conservationists, and cultural leaders for an inspiring evening dedicated to protecting the planet’s wildlife and wild places.

See b-roll HERE

Held at The Paley Center for Media, the event set the tone for the four-day REEL WILD™️ New York Film Festival, running Thursday, April 23 through Sunday, April 26. The evening buzzed with energy as storytellers from around the globe gathered alongside conservation champions to spotlight the power of film in driving awareness and action for nature. From compelling conversations to cinematic previews, the night was a dynamic celebration of creativity, community, and commitment to the Earth.

The REEL WILD™️ festival continues this weekend, offering audiences an immersive lineup of films that explore the beauty of wildlife and the urgent need for conservation. The festival is being held at the AMC Lincoln Square 13,1998 Broadway, NYC.
The four-day REEL WILD™️ New York Film Festival will be Thursday, April 23 – Sunday, April 26

This year marks REEL WILD™️ New York's first juried festival, showcasing 28 films: 13 award winners, 9 official selections, and 6 out-of-competition selections. 

See full schedule here: https://www.wcs.org/reelwild/films

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