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Reese Witherspoon stars in Wild.

Editor's Note: Globe B.C. has joined forces with Scout Magazine to give you the best of what's happening in Vancouver this weekend. For a full week's worth of listings, head over to the complete Scout List, updated each week.

Watch: The Vancouver International Film Festival is on and it's big. How big? Over 350 films big. Almost overwhelming, right? You can narrow things down by browsing the VIFF website by series (films are classified into a number of series such as 3D, Cinema of Our Time, BC Spotlight, Nonfiction and Special Presentations) as well as by genre and venue (viff.org).

Sept. 25-Oct. 10, Various times and locations

American beauty: The newest show at Jennifer Kostuik Gallery sounds amazing. American Beauty: The Opulent Pre-Depression Architecture of Detroit documents the once grand buildings of a bustling city that has fallen so far into decay that it has officially been declared "hopelessly insolvent." Hit the gallery on Thursday evening to meet the artist, Philip Jarmain (who will give a talk at 7 p.m.), and to take a first-hand peek at the images that show the empty libraries, factories, theatres and stations, abandoned and gathering dust. American Beauty continues until Oct. 19.

Thursday, Sept 25, 6-9 p.m., Jennifer Kostuik Gallery (1070 Homer St.), kostuikgallery.com

Seed saving: If you grew a really good crop of tomatoes, some phenomenal peppers, or a bundle of beans and you want to capture that magic again next year, now is the time to plan for it by saving some seeds. Need a little help getting started on technique? Pick up the basics at a quick "after work" program at Strathcona BIA Resource Park (in the alley behind Axum Ethiopian Restaurant at Clark and Hastings). This is some good knowledge to file in your brain, so don't miss out.

Thursday, Sept. 25, 6-7 p.m., SBIA Resource Park, 1279 E Hastings @ Clark, $5, homesteadersemporium.ca

Survive: Nikki Van Schyndel's new book Becoming Wild chronicles her experience of surviving off the (often inhospitable) land of Echo Bay in the Broughton Archipelago (a cluster of islands near northern Vancouver Island) for 18 months. The survivalist and author speaks at Sitka on Thursday night as part of their new series of Sitka Educational Evenings and, as organizers point out: "if you ever wanted to know how to start fires without matches, make medicines from West Coast plants or feed yourself in the coastal wilderness," then this is the woman to school you. It sounds like an inspiring and humbling evening!

Thursday, Sept. 25, 7-9 p.m., Sitka (1864 West 4th Ave.), sitka.ca

Window Seat: Local photographer Jennilee Marigomen has a new book coming out. Window Seat (a collection of Ms. Marigomen's photos shot in Sayulita, Mexico, and San Francisco) launches at Make Gallery this Friday night with a show that is guaranteed to be composed and compelling. The really good news is that you won't have to walk away lamenting the fact you don't have any of the artists work for yourself because you will be able pick up a copy of Window Seat (released in a limited edition of 500) for $30.

Friday, Sept. 26th, 7-10 p.m., Make Gallery (257 East 7th), jennileemarigomen.com

The Comeback: How many times have you been impressed by a work of art, concept, designer or creative event and discovered the footnote "… a graduate of Emily Carr" in association with it? Many, right? Emily Carr University of Art and Design has a reputation for attracting, nurturing and releasing into the world a never-ending litter of fantastic talents. This weekend brings with it a perfect opportunity to appreciate a cross-section of those talents at The Comeback – the annual gathering, show and sale of works made by ECUAD alumni. Don't miss the panel discussion on Friday night (Danielle Krysa – The Jealous Curator, photographer Tim Barber and artist Ian Wallace speak) and the Sat/Sun art markets in the Concourse Gallery.

Sept. 26-28, various times and locations at Emily Carr University, ecuaa.ca

Create: The organizers of Late Nite Art have hooked up with the Burrard Arts Foundation (and BAF exhibiting artists James Knight and Steffen Quong) to bring you a night of creativity that coincides with the last night of Knight and Quong's show KINTSUKUROI: Better To Have Been Broken. The evening kicks off with a talk by the artists, is followed by a civilized dinner, and finishes with a hands-on art party led by the artists. Culture, food and conversation for $40? That's a pretty good deal. Get sorted with tickets before they sell out.

Saturday, Sept, 27, 7:30-10:30 p.m., Burrard Arts Foundation (108 E. Broadway), $40, lateniteart.com/vancouver

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