We predict TIFF's People's Choice Award winner

The Toronto International Film Festival wraps up this weekend with the highly-anticipated presentation of the coveted People's Choice Award.

• INTERACTIVE | TIFF People's Choice prize heralds film industry kudos

TIFF audiences vote on the award throughout the festival, and if past winners are anything to go by, the people have a knack of getting it right. Check the link above for an interactive look back at how previous winners fared.

The award has become a bellweather for future awards success, with winners frequently scoring Oscar and Golden Globes nods. 

Previous winners include 12 Years a Slave, Silver Linings Playbook, The King's Speech, Precious and American Beauty. 

We asked CBC staffers for their favourite films from this year's festival — and even though we don't always agree on what makes a great film, the same titles kept popping up.

Here are our reviews for the top five films CBC staffers believe have a shot at taking the people's choice prize:

The Imitation Game

At first glance Benedict Cumberbatch's performance as Alan Turing, the brilliant mathematician recruited to break Nazi codes, might seem familiar: Another intellectual character with a brilliant mind and poor people skills. But Turning is deeper than Sherlock and director Morten Tyldum fleshes out the character by introducing Alan young and old. Keira Knightley charms as Alan's kindred spirit and Cumberbatch adds a touch of humour to Turing's logical outlook. While the conclusion doesn't do full justice to the scope of Turing's accomplishments, it's a gorgeous primer. 4 stars out of 5. Eli Glasner, CBC Arts reporter

• RAW VIDEO | Benedict Cumberbatch at TIFF 2014
• RAW VIDEO | Keira Knightley on Alan Turing

A solid biopic of British math whiz Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch) who becomes a secret Second World War code breaker by inventing the computer before revelations that he's homosexual lead to his suicide. Keira Knightley shines as Turing's faux fiancée while Cumberbatch's sulky take on genius may be remembered during awards season. 4 stars out of 5. Nigel Hunt, Producer, CBC Arts

The secrecy behind cracking the Nazis' Enigma code, and cryptographer Alan Turing's role in it, is the focus of this historical drama, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley. Based on a biography of Turing, the film explores the mathematician's personal life and professional brilliance. The best part is the film doesn't take a stance on his character — it lets the audience decide whether Turing is a genius or a monster. Cumberbatch's performance is subtle and laudable. Don't be surprised if he gets a nomination come awards season. 4½ stars out of 5. Zulekha Nathoo, CBC Arts reporter​

Infinitely Polar Bear

A tender tale about a manic depressive father struggling to stay well for his wife and two daughters. Mark Ruffalo perfectly captures the essence of this loveable, but desperate man. Child actors Imogene Wolodarsky and Ashley Aufderheide ground every scene. At once heartwarming and heartbreaking, it's a well-realized snapshot of a family figuring it out. 4 stars out of 5. Laura Thompson, producer, CBC Arts

At his best here, Mark Ruffalo stars as a bi-polar father who's trying to keep his act, and his family, together. Ruffalo balances charm and vitality with occasional dark moments and deftly manages to avoid overly sentimental or false notes. Zoe Saldana, plays his wife. While dad struggles in his role as caregiver, the film steers clear of blame or easy answers. This is a loving portrait of a father dealing with mental illness, who is by turns exasperating and impossible, but also funny, creative and loving. 3.5 stars out of 5. Alice Hopton, producer, CBC Arts

Mommy

This is Xavier Dolan's fifth feature film. It explores the complex relationship between Steve (Antoine-Olivier Pilon) and his mother Dianne (Anne Dorval) and eventually their neighbour Kyla (Suzanne Clément). Steve is an unpredictable and problem child who has spent time in mental institutions. The three embark on a journey together which is both terrifically funny and hauntingly sad. The performances are fantastic, especially Dorval, who inhabits every scene with an intense rawness. Shot in narrow aspect ratio, the film is highly original, heartbreaking and heart-stopping. 4.5 out of 5. Sian Jones, producer, CBC Arts

• Catherine Keener lauds Canada's Xavier Dolan at TIFF

Xavier Dolan continues to work out his Oedipal issues to our benefit in the latest film from the Quebec wunderkind. With an assured command of the medium Dolan presents the tale of Diane, a single mother struggling with her violent hyperactive son Steve. Anne Dorval is loud brassy and undeterred as Diane. The real revelation is Antoine-Olivier Pilon as Steve, who is as explosive as he is sensitive. Then Dolan introduces a third, Suzanne Clément as the shy teacher next door. Although the movie overstays its welcome this is a must-watch chapter in one of the country's boldest filmmakers. 4.stars out of 5. Eli Glasner, CBC Arts reporter

A searing slow boil of a drama, Mommy is a powerful take on a mother and troubled son relationship story. Hotshot Canadian director Xavier Dolan was feted at Cannes for this film, and it's clear to see why. From a fluttering clothesline to circling grocery carts, Dolan has a way of turning the mundane into an operatic drama. The film's length may strain your patience, but there are many worthwhile moments along the way. 3.5 stars out of 5.  Jelena Adzic, CBC Arts reporter

Whiplash

An exhilarating ride with rising star Miles Teller as a drummer hell bent on impressing one intimidating, abusive teacher. A smartly written exercise in commitment, relationships, and revenge. If not for the substance and intrigue, then go for the music as Teller's a genius behind the kit. 4 stars out of 5. Laura Thompson, producer, CBC Arts

Whiplash is an intense study in commitment. Drumming at a steady pace the structure and script are really tight, and keep one guessing right up until the end. Watching the performances of Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons is what makes this movie spectacular. Also the fact that Teller did most of his own drumming is impressive. 4 stars out of 5. Ed Macdonald, video producer, CBC Arts

An intense indie drama about an abusive but highly respected music school teacher (JK Simmons) and a young jazz drummer (Miles Teller) who has dreams of greatness, Whiplash opened and won the two top prizes at Sundance. As the teacher pushes his star student harder, the tension is palpable. Who will break first? Solid performances and direction, yet the ending feels like a strange justification that artistic results justify nasty means. 4 stars out of 5. Nigel Hunt, producer, CBC Arts

The bald-headed angry Everyman, J.K. Simmons, is one of those actors you know, but can't remember his name. Whiplash could change that. He plays Fletcher, a uncompromising teacher at a prestigious jazz academy. Into his domain comes Andrew Neyman, a drummer aiming to be the next Buddy Rich. Whiplash is a movie that will have people talking about Fletcher's terrifying teaching technique and that's exactly the point. It's about obsession, the Stockholm Syndrome and two actors with amazing chops. 4.5 stars out of 5. Eli Glasner, CBC Arts reporter

Wild

Reese Witherspoon is terrific in a role that stands firmly outside her usual repertoire of all-American sweethearts. Playing a character with a past eroded by heroin and sex addiction, she's definitely charting new territory here. Based on the bestselling memoir by Cheryl Strayed, the story is a quest for self-recovery by a woman who embarks on a solo 1,000-mile hike along the Pacific Crest Trail. The narrative has a light touch in its use of flashbacks. The character is flawed, introspective and has a sense of humour, which adds to her charm. Laura Dern is also wonderful as the single mother who ultimately teaches her daughter the importance of appreciating life, even with the struggles. 4 stars out of 5. Alice Hopton, producer, CBC Arts

• PHOTOS | Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern debut their film Wild at TIFF
• VIDEO | 'I was crying like a baby' says Wild director Jean-Marc Vallée

Reese Witherspoon is Cheryl Strayed, a woman on the path to redemption as she fights the elements and her own demons during a three-month hike along the Pacific Trail. Flashbacks burn brighter than the desert sun as we see the life Strayed left behind: scenes of shooting heroin, sleeping with whoever asked, and fights with her now-estranged husband. But Canadian director Jean-Marc Vallée reserved his most tender shots for the woman Strayed calls "the love of her life" — her late mother, heartbreakingly played by Laura Dern. 4 stars out of 5. Deana Sumanac-Johnson, CBC arts reporter.