Martin Luther King biopic Selma to be shown for free to New York students

Tickets to the 'powerful' film will be offered to thousands of high schoolers

Martin Luther King biopic Selma (Paramount Pictures)

Lucky students in New York City are to be given the opportunity to see Martin Luther King movie Selma for free.

David Oyelowo stars as the iconic activist in the historical drama chronicling the famous 1965 voting march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama.

A group of high profile figures, including American Express chairman Ken Chenault and former Time Warner CEO Richard Parsons have joined forces to offer free tickets to 27,000 Middle and High School students.

They will be able to watch the film in participating New York cinemas from 8 to 19 January, according to Variety.

“Martin Luther King, Jr.’s momentous journey in Alabama is an important piece of American history,” Bill Lewis, contributor and co-chairman of Investment Banking, Lazard, said in a statement.

“We are passionate about bringing this story to New York City’s students and we encourage business leaders in other cities to organize similar programs so that more students around the country have the chance to see this powerful film about an epic chapter in American history.”

Furthermore, Ava DuVernay’s movie will be shown for free at the Selma Walton Theater in Selma, Atlanta, from 9 January.

Nominated for four Golden Globes, Selma is released in the US this Friday, before heading to UK shores for 6 February.