Amazon Studios, Apple, Facebook, Twitter, Netflix, TikTok, Mashable, Intel and Starz are all reportedly pulling out of the annual SXSW festival in Austin, Texas over coronavirus concerns. In addition, WarnerMedia and Lionsgate will restrict their presence.
In the two latter cases, it’s expected that screenings will still go ahead but public marketing activations are out and in Lionsgate’s case their staff and talent won’t be on the ground.
There have been fourteen confirmed cases of the respiratory illness in Texas so far ahead of the fest which runs from March 13th-22nd. However, Austin government officials said on Wednesday they saw no reasons to cancel the event and noted that no cases of coronavirus infection have been identified in the area.
Last year’s SXSW drew 232,258 attendees spanning music, film, interactive, and gaming.
Source: Variety
