Marking the return of the festival to Bellevue, the Bellevue Arts Museum will host a sneak preview of the 40th Seattle International Film Festival Friday, May 2.

SIFF programmers will offer highlights, trailers and early copies of the festival guide. An audience question and answer session will be held.

The festival’s programming was released Wednesday at the SIFF press launch event, which held a screening of “JIMI: All Is By My Side.”

The biopic, starring Outkast’s André “André 3000” Benjamin in the titular role, covers the early years of Jimi Hendrix’s career as a backup guitarist in the United Kingdom. Benjamin is joined by Hayley Atwell as English DJ and Hendrix muse Kathy Etchingham. The film was written and directed by John Ridley, fresh off his Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar win for 2013’s “12 Years A Slave.”

This year’s programming will screen 435 films, comprised of 198 feature films, 60 documentaries, 163 shorts and 14 archival films.

“Obama Mama,” a documentary about Stanley Ann Dunham prominently featuring her life and education on Mercer Island, will have its world premiere at SIFF. The film was produced and directed by Vivian Norris.

Archival films will include the 1919 silent war drama “J’accuse,” the 1976 cult musical “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” — which premiered at the first SIFF — and the 2005 Joss Whedon “Firefly” conclusion, “Serenity.”

The preview will be held from 7:45-8:45 p.m. Seating is limited to the first 80 arrivals. Admission is free, with free admission to the museum.