Latest in SXSW

SXSW, which was forced to cancel its 2020 edition that was to kick off today in Austin due to the coronavirus pandemic, is forging forward with a plan that includes screening links that will allow jurors to see and hand out awards to the fest’s competition films. The news came via SXSW director of film Janet Pierson…

Refresh for updates … As the coronavirus outbreak continues to spread, more events are being canceled or postponed and entertainment sites closed. The World Health Organization has declared a pandemic over the COVID-19 virus., had sickened more than 132,000 people in 122 countries and territories, with 4,955 deaths…

A group of local business people in Austin are attempting to salvage what they can from the South by Southwest crash and burn. They plan to stage “micro-events” throughout the city next week and beyond so that locals can figure out how to get through the coming months without the yearly revenue injection from the…

EXCLUSIVE: This week was supposed to be a great and promising one for all the filmmakers who had seen their films accepted into SXSW, a great majority seeking distribution after premiering in front of the usually highly enthusiastic audiences that storm the Austin festival every March. That was before the fear of the c…

UPDATED with SXSW statement: South by Southwest has laid off a reported 50 employees — nearly one-third of its staff — in the wake of the festival’s cancellation by the City of Austin over coronavirus concerns. "Due to the City of Austin's unprecedented and unexpected cancellation of the SXSW 2020 events in March…

The biggest story in the music business this week – really, the only story, given the ramifications – was the Austin Mayor’s decision to pull the plug on South by Southwest. It marked the first time in the event’s 34-year-history that the show won’t go on. Already, the reeling Austin community is scrambling to salvage…

The news is increasingly bleak for the founders of the South by Southwest conference, which was canceled today for the first time in its 34-year history. Two founders of the event, which was set for March 13-22 in Austin, Texas, told The Austin Chronicle that the organization lacks insurance coverage for disease…

For Austin, the unthinkable has happened. SXSW has cancelled its 2020 edition, with the mayor declaring a “local disaster” in the city. Austin’s economy relies on the annual film/music/tech/comedy gathering to fuel much of the rest of the year. The lack of a windfall to the city’s restaurants and bars could be fatal…

UPDATED with more details: SXSW said Friday that it has made the decision to cancel its 2020 edition that was to begin next week. The move comes as more and more companies were opting out of attending the annual Austin festival over concerns about the worldwide coronavirus epidemic that has dominated the global…

UPDATED with Paramount Network and Comedy Central exits:?In the wake of SXSW declaring that the fest will go on amid fears of the coronavirus, notable attendees have decided they’re pulling out. On Friday, Deadline confirmed that ViacomCBS’ Paramount Network and Comedy Central are the latest to withdraw from the…

This just in. Paramount’s comedy The Lovebirds?will still make its world premiere at SXSW on March 14 at the Paramount Theatre, but director Michael Showalter and stars Kumail Nanjiani and Issa Rae are pulling out due to coronavirus concerns. The pic opens April 3. I understand that Paramount will be doing press for…

Apple said Wednesday that it has pulled out of attending SXSW, the film, TV, music and tech festival that is due to kick off next week in Austin. The move, which Deadline has confirmed, includes exits for the premieres of Apple originals like Spike Jonze’s documentary Beastie Boys Story. Apple joins fellow tech…