LOS ANGELES — Netflix is canceling its South by Southwest (SXSW) screenings and events amid concerns about the outbreak of coronavirus.
A company spokesperson says Wednesday that the streamer is pulling out of the annual Austin-based festival, which kicks off next week.
The company had planned to screen the feature film “Uncorked" and four docuseries.
In addition to the screenings, Netflix is also canceling a panel with Rashida Jones and Kenya Barris about the series #blackexcellence.
Netflix's decision to forgo the festival comes as Apple, Facebook and Twitter have also said they will not participate in SXSW due to fears of COVID-19, according to Business Insider.
ON Wednesday, officials with Austin Public Health said that there was no evidence that canceling SXSW would make the community safer, according to CNN.
"I want the community to know that these decisions are being made by our medical professionals and that no corporation, or South By, or anybody else has a seat at that table. Because we're only motivated by making sure that we do what we can to keep the community safe," Austin Mayor Steve Adler said, according to CNN.
SXSW will take place in Austin from March 13 to March 22.
