Oscars 2017: Predicting The Winners

Will Win: Damien Chazelle Should Win: Barry Jenkins Surprise Win: Mel Gibson

Continuing La La Land's destruction of every other contender in its path, the incredibly talented Damien Chazelle will win. Directing a musical is no easy task for the technical challenges involved, and directing a musical like La La Land is even more difficult.

Chazelle has had to introduce a whole new generation to the appeal of an old-fashioned Hollywood musical whilst offering something new to the genre. For the ambition and flourish on show, as well as his previous success with Whiplash, it's hard to imagine anyone but Chazelle winning.

Barry Jenkins, however, heralded a vision unlike any presented in American cinema. His personal connection to the source material that inspired Moonlight explains his pinpoint precision for depicting the coming-of-age of lead character Chiron. Both Jenkins and Chazelle represent a brave new generation of filmmaking, and whilst Chazelle resurrects a long-dead genre with style, Jenkins directs a more intimate film that will stay with you forever.

You also can't discount the fact that the Academy loves a comeback story, and it looks like they have forgiven Mel Gibson for his past actions with a nomination.

There's every chance that nomination could carry through into a win. He has past pedigree, and if it's not Chazelle - who will surely get nominated again in his lifetime - it will be Gibson who takes home the award.