SELMA the movie will be shown for free at the Walton Theater in downtown Selma.

Paramount Pictures announced New Years Day that the film will be shown starting Jan. 9, the day it opens nationwide.

Producer Oprah Winfrey said in a press release that the decision was a thank you to the people in Selma.

“With deep gratitude to the people of Selma, Ala., we are proud to share this powerful film depicting the historic events that took place there 50 years ago,” Winfrey said on behalf of the film’s producers. “I hope generations will watch the film and share their stories of remembrance and history together.”

Selma Mayor George Evans said movie times and ticketing information should be finalized by Monday. Paramount said more information and showtimes would be available at www.selmawaltontheater.com.

“I’m so happy that the movie SELMA will be shown in Selma when it’s released to the nation,” Evans said. “I’m thankful to the producers, director Ava [DuVernay] and executive producer Paul Garnes for their leadership, and all of the cast for selecting Selma to produce this movie. We must keep in mind that the movie is just that, a movie and not a documentary. May God continue to bless Selma.”

Evans said Wednesday that tentative plans are to show the movie multiple times Jan. 9, 10 and 11 and into January. The Walton will offer concessions during the showings.

Directed by DuVernay and starring David Oyelowo as Martin Luther King Jr., SELMA has been nominated for four Golden Globes, including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director and Best Song (“Glory” by Common and John Legend).

The film also stars Tim Wilkinson as President Lyndon B. Johnson, Cuba Gooding Jr. as Fred Gray, Carmen Ejogo as Coretta Scott King, Lorraine Toussaint as Amelia Boynton, Tim Roth as George Wallace and Winfrey as Dallas County resident Annie Lee Cooper.