This year’s Oscar-nominated live action shorts, which show through next week at E Street Cinema, fall into two basic categories: the weepy, inspiring tales the Academy loves to reward, like Buzkashi Boys (shown above), and the new, inventive shorts that might engage different audiences.  The screening’s centerpiece, Curfew, concerns young people seeking purpose in Manhattan and the impact of siblings. Yeah, it sounds like an episode of Girls, but the potentially precious hipster tropes like bowling alleys and flipbooks actually work in this case. Maybe this means the Academy’s finally wising up to the interests of the younger generation. Read more>>> The films run Feb. 1 to Feb. 13 at E Street Cinema, 555 11th St. NW. $8–$11. (202) 452-7672. See complete schedule at landmarktheatres.com. (Ramon Ramirez)

EAT THIS

Finally, Restaurant Week is here. The chance to taste the best of the city for less is back, and it’s not too late to get a table. From now until Feb. 10, restaurants throughout the city will offer three course lunches for $20.13 and dinners for $35.13. This year, more than 240 restaurants are in the game—-from new hot spots like Ambar to fine dining establishments like 1789 Restaurant. Check out menus and make reservations at ramw.org/restaurantweek or through CityEats. (May Wildman)

OH AND ALSO

Dream pop performer Memory Tapes takes the DC9 stage tonight. Brooklyn-based sister band TEEN opens. 8:30 p.m. at DC9, 1940 9th St. NW. $10.

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