SXSW, the annual tech, music, and film festival, will be brought to US audiences virtually through Amazon’s video streaming service Prime Video.
Austin Mayor Steve Adler cancelled the event just a week before it was scheduled to take place due to growing public health concerns.
The e-commerce giant has confirmed that they will be working in partnership with festival organisers, to offer a virtual showcase free of charge to US audiences via their subscription service, Prime Video.
Amazon has confirmed that only the use of a free Amazon account will be required to access the SXSW film collection, and not a Prime Video subscription.
Okay, exciting news y'all! We’re partnering with @SXSW on a 10-day streaming event to bring you a collection of movies from this year’s line-up. It'll be free to everyone in the U.S. (yeah, we said everyone) because these films deserve an audience. Stay tuned for more details!
— Prime Video (@PrimeVideo) April 2, 2020
Amazon has given filmmakers the option to either green light their films or withdraw them. Filmmakers who agree to take part will receive a screening fee, and those looking for distribution will still have that option, as Amazon will not be acquiring any rights for the movies that they stream.
