It’s good to hear that the Seattle International Film Festival is committed to returning to Renton next year.

Nothing is more obvious than the fact that Renton has come together as a community to make SIFF – and the movies it shows – feel welcome.

The next step is to build an audience, which will take time. And those in that audience should include more than just people with a Renton address.

That’s why we like the idea that next year SIFF make the point, even more strongly, that Renton is just the VENUE and filmgoers should come from all across South King County.

SIFF was drawn to Renton because of its diversity. But go to any community in the south end and you’ll find a vibrant mix of cultures from around the world. That sounds like SIFF’s film schedule, along with some really good home-grown films thrown in.

It’s also good to hear that SIFF’s top brass is going to come to South King County to better understand the film audience here.

We bristle at any suggestion that the south end isn’t ready for films that don’t need popcorn to really enjoy. That’s not true.