Carolyn and I also spent some time at Pacific Place thinking about a SIFF strategy. I have a pass this year (for the metroblogging); so I feel much less pressure to make decisions about everything that I want to see right away. Still, it's nice to have a basic agenda; I'll try to post my calendar of "possibles" sometime this week.
Regarding that pass, I've seen a few of the press screenings over the past couple weeks. Of the films that I've seen I'd recommend Dark Horse (Voksne Mennesker) [siff] and Conversations With Other Women [siff] (but only if you can deal with the whole thing being shown in a split screen. I liked it in spite of this device, not because of it.)
This going to movies in the morning has messed up my work schedule; so I haven't been spending nearly enough time outside to witness all of the Seattleites in their short pants and Tevas.