It came almost on a whim, an opportunity for a charming 5-year-old Auburn girl to perform.

Suddenly, Olivia Thomas became an actress.

“It was something I wanted to try,” said Olivia, now 8 and a second-grader at Hazelwood Elementary School. “I liked everything about it … I just like to perform in front of people.”

Charlie Thomas explored the possibility of acting lessons for his daughter. But when he heard about an independent film being produced in Seattle, he thought it might be a good opportunity for his daughter.

Turns out, Olivia didn’t need the lessons after all. She practiced her lines to perfection and ultimately earned a small role in “The Spy and the Sparrow” – an intriguing family drama and spy thriller directed by Bainbridge Island’s Garrett Bennett.

The full-length feature film premiered this week at the Seattle International Film Festival, one of the most prestigious film festivals in the country.

The film is targeted for national theatrical release.

“It will be interesting to see where it goes and what they think of it,” said Cher Thomas, Olivia’s mother.

About 200 Seattle-area extras were used in the film. But the open call didn’t involve Olivia, who decided she wanted to compete against older girls for a spot in the cast.

Olivia, a mature and bright girl, responded with a flawless audition.

“She was the only one who had her parts memorized,” Cher said. “And I think that is probably why she got the part.”

Olivia plays the role of Erin Baker, daughter of a 30-something alcoholic mother, Josephine Sparrow, played by Elizabeth Rohm (“Law & Order,” “Miss Congeniality 2”) who faces separation from her child.

“The Spy and the Sparrow” tells the story of a retired CIA operative who embarks on a mission to make things right with his estranged daughter. The CIA agent, Tommy Sparrow, played by David Rasche (“Flight 93,” “Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood”) tries to reconnect with his troubled daughter, only to be thrown back into the dark and dangerous world he thought he’d left behind.

In the middle of it all the family drama is an innocent child.

Cher doesn’t expect her daughter to fully understand the plot when they finally get the chance to see the film for the first time this week. But they will appreciate the touching, emotional scenes involving Olivia. Filming spanned seven days in early 2007.

The cast and crew even clapped for Olivia after the filming of her final scene.

“Everybody was so nice, It was a real positive experience,” said Charlie, a math and social studies teacher at Rainier Middle School.

For Olivia, the stage is a comfortable place. She has performed in a few plays for The Heavier Than Air Family Theatre Company. She enjoys ballet, piano, reading, playing soccer and being a sister to Ethan, 6.

Olivia isn’t rushing into full-time acting – not just yet anyway. But given a rare chance, she enjoyed her big screen moment.

“It’s fun to let go of your own self and become another person,” she said of the craft.

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Screening of “The Spy and the Sparrow” – 11 a.m., Saturday

Egyptian Theatre, 801 East Pine St., Seattle.

• Information: 206-781-5755, www.siff.net/festival