Oscars: '12 Years a Slave' Makes History With Best Picture

Director Steve McQueen with his Oscar for 12 Years A Slave (Image credit: Press Association)

On Sunday, March 2, 2014, the slavery drama "12 Years a Slave" won the best picture award at this year's Oscars - making history as the first movie from a black director to win the film industry's highest honour at the Academy Awards.

Directed by British director Steve McQueen, the film is based on a true story and stars Chiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon Northup, a free man who was kidnapped into slavery in the South. It is the first film directed by a black filmmaker to win the best picture Oscar.

In one of the most hotly contested competitions of recent years, the film beat eight fellow nominees: American Hustle, Captain Phillips, Dallas Buyers Club, Gravity, Her, Nebraska, Philomena, and The Wolf Of Wall Street.

McQueen jumped for joy at the win and thanked his wife, who first showed him a copy of the original book, for "unearthing this treasure" and his parents before dedicating the win to "everyone who has endured slavery and 21 million who still do today".

Lupita Nyong'o won the best supporting actress prize for her role as Patsey in the 19th century drama.

The Mexican-born star, who is of Kenyan descent, paid tribute to McQueen who she said charged "everything with the breath of your own spirit".

She thanked her co-stars Chiwetel Ejiofor and Michael Fassbender and said: "I'm a little dazed. I can't believe this is in my hands. I can't believe this is real life."

12 years a Slave also picked up its second award of the night, for best adapted screenplay. Best Original screenplay was won by Spike Jonze.

Ejiofor lost out in the lead actor category to Matthew McConaughey who won for his portrayal of an Aids activist in Dallas Buyers Club. However, his co-star Jared Leto won the first award of the night after being named best supporting actor.

Cate Blanchett was named best actress for her role in Woody Allen's Blue Jasmine, beating Bullock, Dame Judi Dench, Amy Adams and Meryl Streep in the process.

Best documentary went to the crowd—pleasing backup singer ode “20 Feet From Stardom.” One of its stars, Darlene Love, accepted the award singing the gospel tune “His Eye Is on the Sparrow“- “I sing because I’m happy/ I sing because I’m free.”