Allstate Announces Top Three Finalists of 2nd Annual 'Be Reel' Film Contest

Company Continues Commitment to 'Go Beyond' Through American Black Film
Festival Sponsorship

NORTHBROOK, Ill., Aug. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Allstate Insurance
Company announced today the three contestants moving on to the finals of the
2nd annual Allstate "Be Reel" Film Contest. The contest fosters broader
exposure for the black film community and provides a forum for talented
African American filmmakers to create positive images of life in the Black
community. The winner of the "Be Reel" contest will receive an award, a $5,000
grand prize and a mentoring session with Jeff Friday, founder of Annual
American Black Film Festival (ABFF).
The three finalists are: "The Lucky Suit" by New York resident Roy Clovis,
a 13-year veteran of the film industry; "Lend A Hand" by Sherman Oaks, Calif.
resident Dana Hannah, a screenplay writer and founder of an actor networking
group with a passion for film; and "Simple Things" by Bossier City, La.
resident Travis Dent, a television-news-industry veteran who wrote his first
screenplay last year.
Allstate will announce the winner of the second annual "Be Reel" Film
contest at the conclusion of the 2008 12th Annual American Black Film
Festival. ABFF festivities, of which Allstate is a presenting sponsor, will be
held August 7-11 in Los Angeles. Allstate's sponsorship of ABFF is part of a
larger commitment to the black community entitled Beyond February, a national
initiative designed to create, support and sponsor programs that empower
African Americans.
"Allstate is pleased to be the presenting sponsor of the American Black
Film Festival this year, and we're thrilled to have the 'Be Reel' finalists as
our guests at ABFF," said Kimberly Turner, integrated marketing communications
manager for Allstate. "We are proud to help up-and-coming filmmakers further
their careers and to showcase their talents to the rest of the film community
and to the world."
This year, acclaimed actor and Allstate spokesman Dennis Haysbert, will be
the jury president during the ABFF weekend. "I'm excited to have Dennis
Haysbert be a part of this year's 12th Annual ABFF, and we're looking forward
to his counsel in the judging process," said Jeff Friday. "Allstate's
sponsorship is helping in our mission to strengthen the black filmmaking
community through resource sharing, artistic collaboration and career
development."
During ABFF, Allstate will also host a symposium entitled "Are You In Good
Hands? ... Finding the Right Representation", on Friday, August 8, 2008 from
3-4:30 p.m. The panel will consist of entertainment insiders who represent
some of the biggest names in the industry including Derek Dingle, executive
editor Black Enterprise Magazine, who will also serve as the panel moderator.
Other invited guests include: Dwight Parham, Allstate regional financial
services representative; Vincent Cirrincione, president, Vincent Cirrincione &
Associates (artist management include: Halle Berry, Taraji P. Henson and
Common); James Lassiter, Overbrook Entertainment (Will Smith's manager &
producing partner); Andrea Nelson-Meigs, International Creative Management
(ICM), agent (clients include: Beyonce, Chris Brown and Cedric "the
Entertainer"); Meredith O'Sullivan, 42 West Publicist (clients include: Halle
Berry, Dwayne Johnson, Jessica Biel, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Rosario Dawson and
Kerry Washington) and Darryl Miller, attorney ( clients include: Angela
Bassett and Courtney B. Vance).
For interview opportunities with Kimberly Turner, Allstate integrated
marketing communications manager, Actor Dennis Haysbert or the "Be Reel"
winner, please contact Leslie Hall at 773-629-2366 or via email at
lhall@burrell.com. All media must have credentials.
Visit BeyondFebruary.com
(http://www.allstate.com/landingpages/beyondfebruary.aspx) to learn more about
the "Be Reel" finalists and view their submissions, as well as to learn more
about Allstate's commitment to the African-American community.
About Allstate
The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held
personal lines insurer. Widely known through the "You're In Good Hands With
Allstate(R)" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help
individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have
today and better prepare for tomorrow. Customers can access Allstate products
and services such as auto insurance and homeowners insurance through
approximately 14,700 exclusive Allstate agencies and financial representatives
in the U.S. and Canada, or in select states at allstate.com and 1-800
Allstate(R). Encompass(R) and Deerbrook(R) Insurance brand property and
casualty products are sold exclusively through independent agents. The
Allstate Financial Group provides life insurance, supplemental accident and
health insurance, annuity, banking and retirement products designed for
individual, institutional and worksite customers that are distributed through
Allstate agencies, independent agencies, financial institutions and broker-
dealers. Customers can also access information about Allstate Financial Group
products and services at myallstatefinancial.com
(http://myallstatefinancial.com).
SOURCE Allstate Insurance Company

Raleigh Floyd of Allstate Insurance Company, +1-847-402-7891,
rflad@allstate.com; or Leslie Bardo of Burrell Communications,
+1-312-297-9752, lbardo@burrell.com, for Allstate Insurance Company