TORONTO — Air France has been named the Official Airline of the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). This is the first time the airline has partnered as a sponsor for the Festival, taking place this year Sept. 7 to 17.

Air France will be the Presenting Sponsor of the Platform program, which celebrates the next generation of masters of cinema, and award the winner with the Toronto Platform Prize. In 2016 the line-up of the Platform program included Jackie and 2017’s Oscar-winner for Best Picture, Moonlight.

During the Festival, Air France will welcome Festival-goers at the Air Bistro Paris on ‘Festival Street’ (on a stretch of King St. West in downtown Toronto), a pedestrian promenade featuring free film, music, interactive activations and extended restaurant patios, Sept. 7 – 10. The Paris bistro–type experience will include macarons and non-alcoholic bubbly.

Passers-by will be able to try their chance at winning two French experiences. The first prize is the Air France ‘Win a trip to Cannes Festival 2018’ contest, which includes two Business-class tickets from Toronto to Nice on Air France; one night at Cannes’ five-star Carleton hotel; and a four-night stay at Club Med’s Opio Resort in Provence. This prize also features the famous walk up the red-carpet stairs at the French Festival, which will take place in May 2018.

The second prize will take the winners to Paris on board Air France in Business class for a five-night stay at a five-star hotel, and includes a spa treatment, dinner for two and a visit to the famous Harcourt Studios.

“Air France has always been extensively involved in the arts and culture,” says Jean-Noel Rault, Vice-President and General Manager of Air France-KLM Canada. “As the official airline of TIFF, we are happy to open opportunities for worldwide talents, directors and film industry representatives to meet in Toronto. We are proud to support TIFF and its Platform program and delighted to provide movie fans and visitors alike with the opportunity to win a unique Cannes or Paris experience.”

“We are delighted to have Air France sponsor the Platform program this year,” added Piers Handling, Director and CEO of TIFF. “A world renowned brand such as Air France is a great partner for this multi-national program that showcases the work of artistic and inventive directors pushing boundaries in film from across the globe.”