Planning is under way for the 2012 Seattle International Film Festival, which will have Renton for the second year as a venue.

Renton officials are doing behind-the-scenes planning to contract with facilities and vendors and plan marketing opportunities through the Renton Community Marketing Campaign, according to Suzanne Dale Estey, Renton’s economic-development director

The city also is finalizing its agreement with SIFF, she said. A SIFF-Renton Host Committee will be named in early spring to promote SIFF-Renton in March.

“We are thrilled SIFF is coming back and can’t wait for the World of Film to come back to Renton,” Dale Estey said.

SIFF organizers will have the lineup for the Renton films later.

However, they’ve announced that “Your Sister’s Sister” is the opening film to be presented at the festival’s Opening Night Gala, Thursday, May 17.

The film is SIFF’s first opening selection locally produced and shot by a Seattle filmmaker. SIFF takes place May 17 through June 10.

“Your Sister’s Sister,” written and directed by Seattle’s Lynn Shelton (Humpday) and starring Emily Blunt, Rosemarie DeWitt and Mark Duplass, will be the centerpiece of SIFF’s 38th Opening Night Gala and Red Carpet Experience, which will offer an exclusive screening of the film before it hits theaters this summer through IFC’s Sundance Selects, according to SIFF.

“Lynn Shelton has made a pitch-perfect comedy of errors, infused with the right balance of humor and pathos that I absolutely love,” said SIFF Artistic Director, Carl Spence.  “As a rising star in the independent filmmaking scene with international recognition, it makes perfect sense for Lynn Shelton to be the first local-based filmmaker in 38 years to open the Seattle International Film Festival.”

“I am thrilled beyond measure that Your Sister’s Sister has been chosen to open the 2012 Seattle International Film Festival, and that it represents the first locally produced film to ever receive this honor,” said Shelton. “I hope the city will come raise a glass to our incredibly talented crew and to the entire Seattle film community, without which this film would never have been made.  After a world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival and a U.S. premiere at Sundance, our homecoming in May will be the sweetest celebration of them all.”

SIFF’s Opening Night is a ticketed event, and includes entry to the screening of “Your Sister’s Sister at McCaw Hall,” followed by the exclusive Gala at Seattle Center’s Exhibition Hall.  In addition, a separate ticket option will allow guests in the Red Carpet Opening Night Experience, which provides access to a private pre-screening reception, reserved seating at the Gala film, an exclusive VIP after party with open bar, gift bag and valet parking.

Tickets for the Opening Night Gala, festival screening and Red Carpet Opening Night Experience are now on sale and can be purchased at SIFF.net or by calling 206-324-9996 during normal box office hours.

SIFF also will handle ticketing  in Renton.