Amazon planning online version of SXSW Film Festival

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Amazon’s Prime Video streaming service will become the temporary home to select films that were slated to debut at the SXSW Film Festival, which was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The online festival will run 10 days, with a launch date to be announced — but Amazon and SXSW are targeting late April, according to a press release.

Meanwhile, filmmakers slated to participate in the SXSW festival are being the offered the chance to opt in to take part of the fest.

Participating filmmakers will receive a “screening fee,” notes the announcement, and says SXSW has reached out to all filmmakers with details on how to be included.

The films will be available for free to U.S. based Amazon accounts. While users will be required to sign in to or create a free Amazon account, a Prime membership will not be required to view the content.

This effort will follow in the footsteps of other film festivals canceled or postponed due to the pandemic. So far, Tribeca Film Festival, Greenwich International Film Festival and the Environmental Film Festival have been implementing online access to select entries.