Civil Rights Movie “Selma” Screening for Free in Selma, Alabama

Selma, the Ava DuVernay-directed film that tells the story of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches, opens Friday.

If you live in Selma, Alabama, the Selma Walton Theater is screening the movie for free.

As The Root reports, free film screenings will begin in Selma on January 9. The Hollywood Reporter (and other sources) indicate that this decision came directly from Paramount, quoting Selma producer Oprah Winfrey:

With deep gratitude to the people of Selma, Alabama, we are proud to share this powerful film depicting the historic events that took place there 50 years ago. I hope generations will watch the film and share their stories of remembrance and history together.

Reuters notes that this isn’t just a theater getting a few free screenings of a movie; it’s a historic Selma theater re-opening specifically to show this film:

The Selma Walton Theater is itself an emblem of the city’s more recent struggles and its quest to reinvent itself. The city-owned venue, which was refurbished and opened in 2012 after years of disuse, was shuttered in late 2013 when no investors could be found to take it over. It will be reopened for the screenings.

I was excited about Selma after seeing the trailer, but learning that Paramount is helping Selma re-open a historic theater to screen the film for free has made me even more excited to see Selma in Seattle this weekend.

If you are in the Selma, Ala. area, the Selma Walton Theater has more details on how to collect tickets for the 10 free screenings.

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