Michael Moore offers free download of his latest documentary

Oscar-winning film-maker Michael Moore is to release his new film via the Internet for free as a gesture to fans, the film-maker said in a statement on Friday.

Moore, 54, the director behind hit documentaries "Bowling for Columbine" and "Sicko," said his new film, "Slacker Uprising," about young voters at the 2004 US election would be made available for download later in September.

The statement on Moore's website said it was the first time a major feature-length movie has debuted on the Internet, with no theatrical release or television airing.

Moore -- who has made three of the top five highest-grossing documentaries of all time -- said he was releasing the film online as a thank you to fans as the 20th anniversary of his acclaimed film "Roger & Me" approached.

"I've been very blessed and fortunate to have so many people come to my movies over these two decades, I decided the way to say thanks was to make one that the fans can have for free, as a show of my profound appreciation of their support," Moore said.

The 97-minute film follows Moore as he travels across 62 cities in swing states during the 2004 presidential election.

The movie will be available for any US resident to download for three weeks from September 23 via the website SlackerUprising.com.

The statement said the download was being managed by Brave New Films and BlipTV. Neither Moore nor Brave New Films nor Blip would make money from the film, which cost around two million dollars to make.

Moore said he hoped the film would inspire young people to vote at the November 4 presidential election.

"The only return any of us are hoping for is the largest turnout of young voters ever at the polls in November," he said.