Netflix, Apple, Lionsgate withdraw from SXSW Festival over coronavirus scare

Netflix, Apple, and Lionsgate are latest Hollywood studios that have pulled out of South By Southwest (SXSW) festival in wake of coronavirus outbreak. three companies follow Amazon Studios that h anunced its withdrawal from Austin-based festival earlier this week. 

Netflix h planned to screen five films, which included movie "Uncorked" as well as documentaries "A Secret Love", "L.A. Originals", "Mucho Mucho Amor" and "Have a Good Trip: ventures in Psychedelics". But plans have w been junked. Apple's lineup included premieres of originals like Spike Jonze's documentary "Beastie Boys Story"; "Central Park", new animated series from Bob's Burgers Loren Bouchard and "Home", a new docuseries. tech giants has also withdrawn from festival. 

According to Variety, Lionsgate-owned Starz Network has decided to cancel its screening of crime drama series "Hightown" and its featured session for "Power". However, Lionsgate itself has t cancelled screenings of its movies -- " Quarry" and "Arkansas" -- but films' talent will t be visiting festival.

vel coronavirus or COVID-19, which originated in China, has spre to over 60 countries, including US, where it has claimed lives of 12 people. Earlier, Amazon, which was set to present two world episodic premieres of Greg Daniels' sci-fi show "Uplo" and Matt Reeves and Nathaniel Halpern's "Tales From Loop", h pulled out of festival.

two events were to be followed by Q&A sessions with press. Before Amazon, Facebook and Twitter h decided to withdraw from annual music, techlogy and entertainment festival in Austin, which runs from March 13 to March 22. 

festival is one of large-scale events that is held every year. In 2019, festival drew more than 417,000 attendees, from a total of 106 countries. SXSW organizers, however, have ruled out that festival will be cancelled.

"Regarding current coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak: SXSW is working closely on a daily basis with local, state, and federal ncies to plan for a safe event.  "As a result of this dialogue and recommendations of Austin Public Health, we are proceeding with 2020 event with health and safety of our attendees, staff, and volunteers as our top priority," y said.