Steve McQueen’s slavery drama, 12 Years a Slave, was the surprise winner of the 2013 Best Picture Oscar.
The critically acclaim film proved to be a box office success worldwide, earning over $187 million on a production budget of $22 million.
Oscar Context
The film won three Oscar Awards:
Best Picture
Best Supporting Actress for Lupita Nyong’o
Best Adapted Screenplay for John Ridley.
Steve McQueen: First Black Producer of a Best Picture Winner
The Best Picture win has made McQueen the first black producer ever to have received the award and the first black director to have directed a Best Picture winner.
12 Years a Slave also was awarded the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture.
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) had previously honored it with its Best Film and Best Actor (for Ejiofor).