Amongst those who watch the awards season closely (and let's face it, that amounts to most of us), it's been noted that of all the potential contenders for the top prizes, two figures dominate the landscape. Indeed, the battle between Halo 3's hero Master Chief and the stoic yet rhythmically-enabled Cadbury Gorilla is the sort of contest that could play out within an epic Hollywood movie... Planet of the Apes, most likely.

Of course, there's far more to this year's Cannes candidates than the drumming ape and John-117. As we've seen in other awards shows thus far, BBDO's HBOVoyeur project, Projector Inc.'s Uniqlock for Uniqlo, and Crispin, Porter + Bogusky's "Whopper Freakout" have all made considerable waves. Sony Bravia "Play-Doh" is also upholding the award-nabbing tradition of its predecessors quite nicely, thank you very much. But what about the dark horses, the left-field surprises that grab us by the scruff of the neck and knock us flat on our asses? Well, we asked a fine assortment of international creative directors to think of the work that sent them reeling, hoping for the odd surprising nugget. Here's what we heard...

Paul Silburn>
Creative Partner, Saatchi & Saatchi, London
All the groundswell seems to be for Xbox's Halo 3 by McCann SF, T.A.G. and AKQA, which has cleaned up at US award shows lately. None of which will be pleasing for Fallon, London who, having been robbed of the Grand Prix two years ago with Sony "Balls", may miss out again with Cadbury's "Gorilla". Hmm. War vs. a bit of joy in our lives? I know which I'd rather see.

I expect BBDO, New York to do well with their work for HBOVoyeur and BBC "Cables". Gerry Graf should also expect Skittles "Touch" to provide a fitting swansong for his contribution to that campaign.

It doesn't take a genius to predict that Crispin Porter + Bogusky will win for Burger King. "Whopper Freakout" is great and I'm envious that they also managed to get the King into Madame Tussaud's as an exhibit. That's product placement of the highest order.

Poke's "Everlasting" site for Orange Mobile, which combines a cool idea with equally cool art direction, is one of my favorite digital projects along with the Nokia N-Gage "Get Out and Play" work from Farfar, Sweden.

I'll also be secretly keeping my fingers crossed for a couple of things closer to my heart, namely the Carlsberg "Announcement" live ad from my new home and BBC I-Player "Penguins" from RKCR/Y&R, but by the end of the week I think it will be those damned Yanks who go home with the lion's share of Lions.

Jim Elliott>
Group Creative Director, Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, San Francisco
As I sit here pondering what the outcome will be for all those 2008 Cannes Lions hopefuls come June 15, I can't help but feel a tug-of-war going on between my two diametrically opposed internal soothsayers: My Inner Good-time Charlie (the pleasure-seeker), and my Inner Mother Teresa (the humanitarian).

My Inner Charlie senses the following: The HBOVoyeur campaign and Xbox's "Believe" campaign for Halo 3 will score big on the Integrated/Cyber front. Within the realm of film, Chuck is liking "Play Doh" for Sony Bravia and "Cake" for Skoda - alongside Skittles' "Stable" and/or "Touch." And, of course, there's "Whopper Freakout" for Burger King, the "Tipping Point" extravaganza for Guinness and the "Key to Reserva" faux-mini-doc for Freixenet. (Apparently, Chuck is a sucker for toys, cake, candy, fast food and booze. So, it's no surprise he also has a soft spot for that disgustingly blunt "Taste Test" campaign for Buckley's Cough Syrup.)

Then there's my Inner Mother Teresa who secretly, yet wholeheartedly, hopes this will be the year that Cannes scores major benevolence points with the universe, thanks to the disarming innocence of the "Race" campaign for Petronas, the "Let Us Do It" project for PRODIS Down Syndrome Foundation, and the "15 Below Jacket" project for the homeless.

But in the end, both Chuck and Tessie's money is on Halo 3. On the one hand, it somehow manages to diminish the glamorization of war and is in fact, one could argue, a powerful allegory (given this war-torn world in which we live) for how fallen soldiers should be honored. And on the other hand, it's a thoroughly integrated, captivating and convincing piece of fiction that makes war look cool as shit. A win-win for my schizophrenic sub-conscience.

Richard Bullock>
Executive Creative Director, 180 Amsterdam
My pick for the big prize seems to have been winning everywhere already, so it's not terribly new to anyone. The Halo 3 campaign and, in particular, "Diorama" is simply the best thing I have seen in our business for years. It's a completely original presentation of the story, in a category seemingly handcuffed by convention. I so badly wished I had made that film it hurts.

This is not a particularly original pick, but I am also a fan of the Cadbury's work ["Gorilla"]. It seems to go off like an ambulance siren when it comes on air. I notice there's a lot of debate about the point of this work, which is disappointing. It holds back the business to stick to strategic or 'idea' conventions. You notice it, you like it and chocolate bars get sold. Job done.

I'm slightly biased, but I thought the "Brotherhood" digital campaign of films from our LA office deserves a mention. It doesn't really fit into any of the normal categories, which should be a good thing but tends to hold you back in the shows these days.