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

                            Festival Sponsorship



    NORTHBROOK, Ill., Aug. 4 /EMWNews/ -- 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

[email protected]. 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).