Esurance Helps Honor Great Films at 2011 Austin Film Festival

Esurance Helps Honor Great Films at 2011 Austin Film Festival

"Esurance Audience Award" Allows Audience to Choose the Best Film, Recognizes Outstanding Filmmakers

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Esurance, the direct-to-consumer personal car insurance company, is supporting the Austin Film Festival through its sponsorship of this year's Audience Award.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111021/SF90996LOGO)

The Austin Film Festival is a nonprofit organization that advances the art of filmmaking by inspiring and championing the work of screenwriters and filmmakers who use film to tell compelling stories to audiences around the world. The festival's Audience Award gives the audience a voice and is a coveted acknowledgement for filmmakers, whether documentary, independent, or mainstream.

Following each film screening at the festival, audience members are invited to numerically rate films by ballot, allowing them to honor their favorite films.

Past Audience Award winners include Jason Reitman's 2009 film, "Up in the Air," starring George Clooney, and Danny Boyle's critically-acclaimed "Slumdog Millionaire," which won eight Academy Awards in 2008, including Best Picture and Best Director. Diablo Cody's "Juno" took home the Audience Award in 2007.

This year's festival, which takes place October 20-27, will again showcase the best films Austin has to offer, while presenting an outstanding selection of narrative, animated, and documentary features and shorts. Film screenings are accompanied by lively and informative question-and-answer sessions with cast members and filmmakers. Actor Johnny Depp will receive the festival's inaugural "Extraordinary Contribution to Film Award - Acting" on October 22 and actor and filmmaker James Franco will attend a special presentation of his new film "Sal" on October 23. Mira Sorvino and David Boreanaz are also scheduled to appear at this year's event.

Esurance has been a longtime supporter of filmmakers and artists who help bring compelling stories to life.

About Esurance®

Esurance, an Allstate company, provides personal auto insurance direct to consumers online and through select agents, including sister company Answer Financial. Esurance is dedicated to constantly improving the way people shop for, buy, and manage their auto insurance. By combining the best of technology with industry know-how, Esurance is able to offer hassle-free coverage with 24/7 customer service and claims handling at competitive prices. For more information, visit www.esurance.com and www.answerfinancial.com.

SOURCE Esurance

Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111021/SF90996LOGO
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Esurance

CONTACT: Danny Miller, Senior Manager, PR and Communications, dmiller2@esurance.com , +1-415-875-4579

Web Site: http://www.esurance.com

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