Los Angeles, Sept 05: Firebrand filmmaker Michael Moore will release his latest documentary exclusively on the Internet for free on September 23, eschewing a traditional theatrical rollout, he said on Thursday.

"Slacker Uprising" documents Moore`s 62-city tour of key swing states during the 2004 US presidential election, when he tried to convince young non-voters to give voting a shot.

"This is being done entirely as a gift to my fans," Moore said in a statement. "The only return any of us are hoping for is the largest turnout of young voters ever at the polls in November."

"Slacker Uprising," budgeted modestly at over $2 million, was funded largely out of Moore`s own pocket, a spokesman said. Movie executives Bob and Harvey Weinstein also helped fund the movie in exchange for international rights, the spokesman said.

It marks his followup to the healthcare expose "Sicko," which earned just $24.5 million at the North American box office last year, far short of the $119 million haul for his 2004 political blockbuster "Fahrenheit 9/11."

Moore`s spokesman said no consideration was ever given to a theatrical release. A low-cost DVD will be released on October 7.

Bureau Report