By now you should know that there aren’t any truly reliable pointers to the Oscars. But the people’s choice award at the Toronto Film Festival has kicked up quite a few contenders at a relatively early stage in proceedings.

The King’s Speech and Slumdog Millionaire both began their march to the top gong from the Toronto podium. This year’s winner was David O Russell’s Silver Linings Playbook. Starring Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence, the picture received a equal blend of outright raves and guarded approval from the critics. Seven Psychopaths, the latest from Martin McDonagh, took the the audience award in the Midnight Madness sidebar.