Time to start practicing your standing in line skills: SIFF opens on May 19th and I for one am already polishing my queueing shoes.

OK, let’s get the bad news out of the way first: Due to the upcoming release of the latest addition to the Star Wars franchise, SIFF has lost Cinerama and the Pacific Place AMC as viewing spaces. They will be replaced by the Neptune (U District) and Uptown Cinema (Queen Anne). Although the Cinema Seattle folks are putting a brave face on this (”better accessibility for many people” — ?!), this is a big disappointment. Cinerama, especially, is a major loss. Sigh.

But on to happier subjects. If you’re a SIFF devotee, this is the big week. This year’s schedule of films will be announced on Thursday (May 5th) and tickets go on sale to Cinema Seattle members that day. (For information on becoming a member go to www.seattlefilm.com/membership/. Discounted early bird passes are no longer available, but by becoming a member right now you would at least be able to buy tickets before they go on sale to the … sniff … general public.)

The Annual Members Preview Evening is being held this coming Tuesday, May 3rd, at 7:00PM at the Museum of History and Industry (2700, 24th Avenue East, just south of Husky Stadium Industry). This offers members a chance to learn what’s playing before the public announcement on Thursday. I’m planning on attending, and will pass on any juicy tidbits that I am not (by blood oath) forbidden to reveal. A free public preview will be held on Thursday, May 5th, at 7:00PM at Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park.

What do we know about the film line-up so far? Well, Wong Kar-Wai’s much-lauded 2046 is definitely on the list, as is Korean director Kim Ki-duk’s 3-Iron. Silent film will be represented with a fresh print of The Circus, a newly restored Charlie Chaplin classic, and other restored silent treats are promised as well. Lovers of Asian film will be rewarded with a selection of current Chinese film (which includes Hong Kong and Taiwan, as well as mainland — action fans take heed!), in celebration of China’s 100 years of cinema. In recognition of the increasing popularity of documentary film, a “Face the Music” series will showcase music documentaries, including a film about the tragic fate of Seattle favorite The Gits. (And also look for French director Raymond Depardon’s The 10th District Court, which has gotten a lot of attention at other festivals.)

All of this sounds great, but I’m a big anime geek so I’m most excited about the possibility that I’ll get to see Hayao Miyazaki’s latest film, Howl’s Moving Castle. (But not at Cinerama. Stupid freakin’ Lucas.)