The Film: A silent-movie superstar is dealt a career blow when sound comes to the pictures.

Why It Should Win: Last year the top gong went to the black sheep of the festival: the singular Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives. What’s to stop the jury awarding novelty once again?

The Artist is a salute to silent cinema, shot in Academy ratio (1.33:1) in black and white – the sort of thing multiplexes weren’t made for, but international film festivals were.

Michel Hazanavicius’ film is a cinephile’s delight, but it’s also funny, accessible and features an adorable dog.

Something to tickle every voter’s fancy, then. The critics cheered, the premiere crowd went nuts, chances are the jury will love it too.

Standout Scene: When The Artist plonks down a glass… and it makes a sound! It’s the beginning of the end! Possibly the best glass tumbler moment in cinema since Jurassic Park.