Apple and Netflix Pull Out of SXSW Over Coronavirus Fears

The South by Southwest (SXSW) film festival is set to take place March 13-22 in Austin, Texas, bringing together titans in the film and tech industry. However, due to coronavirus, Apple and Netflix have both pulled out of the event, reports The Hollywood Reporter:

Netflix is joining other major technology and entertainment companies in canceling its plans for SXSW amid concerns about the spread of coronavirus, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.

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Netflix’s decision to skip the event, which is scheduled to take place March 13-22 in Austin, follows a similar move by Apple on Wednesday afternoon.

Netflix was going to screen five films at SXSW, while Apple was ready to premiere three Apple TV+ original films, including Spike Jonze’s “Beastie Boys Story”, while also have speakers discuss the “Little America” docuseries. All have been cancelled.

Apple and Netflix both skipping SXSW joins others including Amazon, Facebook, Twitter and Intel. Coronavirus fears have resulted in Facebook F8 being cancelled, along with Google I/O. Apple’s WWDC looks next to be on the chopping block due to the spread of COVID-19.