Amazon Prime to stream SXSW films from canceled festival

Amazon Prime Video is partnering with South by Southwest (SXSW) to present all of the 2020 festival’s featured films on streaming services following the annual event’s cancellation due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The collection of films, titled “Prime Video presents the SXSW 2020 Film Festival Collection,” will be available for 10 days for anyone with a free Amazon account, and is set to launch in late April.

Participating filmmakers will receive screening fees for streaming their film during the 10-day event.

“We’re honored to be able to provide a space for the SXSW filmmakers to share their hard work and passion with audiences for the first time,” Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon Studios, said.

Janet Pierson, director of film at SXSW, said she was delighted to partner with Amazon and show many of the festival’s slated 2020 films on the streaming service.

“Ever since SXSW was canceled by the City of Austin, we’ve been focused on how we could help the incredible films and filmmakers in the SXSW 2020 Film Festival lineup,” Pierson said.

The annual Austin, Texas, film and arts festival, which attracted 73,716 people last year, was canceled in March due to concerns of travelers arriving from regions where the coronavirus is more prevalent.

Other outlets have partnered with independent filmmakers to showcase films meant to be debuted at this year’s SXSW, including Kate Novack’s “Hysterical Girl,” published by The New York Times.