7 Days in Melbourne (where to find your culture & entertainment this week)

What a beautiful time of year this can be. Summer and the holiday season are nigh. Yet, for most of us, this is also the business end of the year - a time for deadlines, never ending to-do lists and a big dose of stress. Stop, breathe, smile - eat a vegie burger - and take the time to do something for yourself (or for others, or for the planet, so long as you do it in good spirits). Here are a couple of suggestions...

•  Hello Darkness Film Festival
  Just in time for Halloween, this inaugural film festival will show a selection of well-crafted horror films from around the globe, culminating in a full-costume Halloween party on Saturday night (venue tba, see website for details).
  
  October 26 - 19
  ACMI, Federation Square, city
  Tickets: $12/$15
  Hellodarkness.com.au
  Acmi.net.au
  
  
• Melbourne Buddhist Film Festival
  Starkly contrasting to the above, the MBFF is presented by the Buddhist Council of Victoria and involves the screening of six films showing the transformative power of Buddhist practice to people's lives, ranging from that of prisoners and punks to inspirational practitioners.
  
  October 31 - November 1
  ACMI, Federation Square, city
  Melbournebff.com
  Acmi.net.au
  
  
• For the Love of Egypt!
  A unique festival held to celebrate Egyptian culture, old and new. The Egyptian artwork exhibitions are open all weekend, but go on Sunday to catch a performance by the folkloric dance troupe 'El Horrya' (2.30-3.30pm and 5-6pm) and an Egyptology lecture by Dr Colin Hope (3.45-4.30pm).
  
  October 31 (11am-5.30pm) - November 1 (11am-7pm)
  Melbourne Town Hall
  100 Swanston St Walk, city
  
  
• World Vegan Day
  65 years after the term 'vegan'  was coined, World Vegan Day will once again be celebrated at the Abbotsford Convent. The day's festivities will include live music, vegan food and campaign stalls, cooking demonstrations, raffles and curiously, speed-dating sessions. There will also be talks from notable speakers.
  
  November 1, 10am-5pm
  1 St Heliers St, Abbotsford
  Wvd.org.au
  Abbotsfordconvent.com.au