'12 Years A Slave' Named Best Picture by Black Film Critics Circle

The Black Film Critics Circle, of which I am a voting member, has named Steve McQueen's 12 Years A Slave the Best Picture of the Year, honoring the slavery drama with six total victories including one for Best Director. Chiwetel Ejiofor took home Best Actor for his performance while co-star Lupita Nyong'o won for Best Supporting Actress, continuing a streak that has the film surging as Academy Award nominations loom. In a somewhat surprising (but welcome in my opinion) move, Brie Larson won Best Actress for the indie drama Short Term 12, while Jared Leto continues to build steam for Dallas Buyers Club, winning Best Supporting Actor.

The full list of winners is below:

Best Picture – “12 Years a Slave”
Best Director – Steve McQueen for “12 Years a Slave”
Best Actor – Chiwetel Ejiofor for “12 Years a Slave”
Best Actress – Brie Larson for “Short Term 12”
Best Supporting Actor – Jared Leto for “Dallas Buyers Club”
Best Supporting Actress – Lupita Nyong’o for “12 Years a Slave”
Best Original Screenplay – David O. Russell and Eric Singer for “American Hustle”
Best Adapted Screenplay – John Ridley for “12 Years a Slave”
Best Documentary – “20 Feet from Stardom”
Best Animated Film – “Frozen”
Best Cinematography – “Gravity”
Best Foreign Film – “Blue is the Warmest Color”
Best Ensemble – “12 Years a Slave”