Michael Moore to release free documentary on Web

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - 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 U.S. 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 by Moore along with movie executives Bob and Harvey Weinstein, who hold international rights, said a spokesman for Moore.

It marks his follow-up 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.

The download will be available on by BlipTV (www.blip.tv).

(Reporting by Dean Goodman; editing by Mary Milliken)