What Toronto Raptor Patrick Patterson is looking forward to at TIFF 2016

The NBA season doesn't startfor another monthsoTorontoRaptorPatrick Patterson plans to enjoyhis free time atthe Toronto International Film Festival, which kickedoff Thursday.

You can follow Patterson'sTIFF experienceonCBC Toronto's Snapchat.He'll be taking over our accountduring the festival as ourTIFF correspondent.

It's the second year in a row the NBA player andhuge movie buffwill be attendingTIFF. This year, he plans to see19 films,includingbig titles likeThe Magnificent SevenandSnowden.He's also packing in horrorflickBlair Witch.

On day one of TIFF, we asked Patrick what are three things he is most looking forward to during the festival.

Celebrities

Even as an NBA player, I still get star-struck every time I see celebrities.I don't think there will ever be a time where I walk into a building and see Denzel Washington or Mark Wahlberg and not feel like a child when he orshe sees Santa.

Movies

One of the few places I consider my "sanctuary" just so happens to be at the movie theatre.Not only do I get to relax and get lost in my imaginationbut I get to see a film before it's in theatres across the world.

• Denzel Washington, Ryan Gosling, Jennifer Garner, Mark Wahlberg expected at TIFF 2016
• TIFF seeks to evolve and stay relevant as it opens with The Magnificent Seven

Interacting with passionate movie fanatics

I truly enjoy indulging in conversations with people that are as excited, if not more, than I am about movies.