SXSW Canceled for the First Time br Over Coronavirus Concerns The annual film, tech and music festival was scheduled to start next week in Austin, Texas, on March 13. As recently as this past Tuesday, plans to br hold the festival seemed to be on track. Increasing concerns over the fast-spreading br coronavirus ultimately forced the cancellation. Several participating companies and speakers had br already announced they would not attend. The move is not good for Austin's economy, br which took in over $355 million from SXSW in 2019. According to SXSW's website, br plans to re-schedule the br event are being looked at. SWSW, via br cancellation note SXSW was br started in 1987.