Steve McQueen's new film receives audience prize for best picture at the Toronto International Film Festival.
12 Years a Slave has already been getting a lot Oscar buzz recently since it's premier in Toronto.
It is a film about Solomon Northup's first-hand account of being kidnapped and sold into slavery despite being a free man.
The film premiered in Toronto last week, receiving a standing ovation, tears, and even walk-outs due to its graphic depiction of slavery.
The film won the Blackberry People's Choice award, chosen by Toronto festival audiences. Past films that have won this award include The King's Speech, American Beauty, and Chariots of Fire, and all went on to win Oscars for best picture.
McQueen made the film to try and connect with this tragic period in American History.
"I wanted to see images from that particular past," McQueen said. "I wanted to experience it through images."
12 Years a Slave stars Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt, Benedict Cumberbatch, Alfre Woodard, as well as other big names adding to the all-star cast.
The film releases in select theaters October.
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