# List of accolades received by 12 Years a Slave (film)

12 Years a Slave is a 2013 historical drama film directed and produced by Steve McQueen. It is an adaptation of the 1853 autobiographical slave narrative memoir of the same name by Solomon Northup, a New York-born free negro who was kidnapped in Washington, D.C. in 1841 and sold into slavery. The film stars Chiwetel Ejiofor as the protagonist, Northup. Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Paul Giamatti, Lupita Nyong'o, Sarah Paulson, Brad Pitt (also a producer of the film), and Alfre Woodard feature in supporting roles. The screenplay based on the aforementioned memoir was written by John Ridley.
Following successful screenings at the Telluride Film Festival and New York Film Festival, the film held its public premiere at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival, where it won the People's Choice Award. Fox Searchlight Pictures initially gave the film a limited release at nineteen theaters on October 18, aimed primarily towards art house and African American patrons. The film was later given a wide release at over 1,100 theaters in the United States and Canada on November 8. 12 Years a Slave has grossed a worldwide total of over $187 million on a production budget of $20 million. As of 2019, it is McQueen's highest-grossing film. Rotten Tomatoes, a review aggregator, surveyed 358 reviews and judged 95% to be positive.
12 Years a Slave garnered awards and nominations in a variety of categories with particular praise for its direction, screenplay and the acting of its cast. At the 86th Academy Awards, the film received nine nominations including Best Picture and Best Director for McQueen; it went on to win three awards: Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay for Ridley, and Best Supporting Actress for Nyong'o. McQueen was the first black director to direct a Best Picture winning film as well as the first black producer to win Best Picture. The film earned seven nominations at the 71st Golden Globe Awards, winning for Best Motion Picture – Drama. At the 67th British Academy Film Awards, the film garnered ten nominations and went on to win two awards: Best Film and Best Actor for Ejiofor.
At the Producers Guild of America Awards, 12 Years a Slave, tied with Gravity for Best Theatrical Motion Picture. The film received four nominations at the 20th Screen Actors Guild Awards, with Nyong'o winning the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role. McQueen was also nominated at the Directors Guild of America Awards. Both the American Film Institute and National Board of Review included the film in their list of top ten films of 2013.

## Accolades

| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref(s) |
| AACTA Awards | January 10, 2014 | Best International Film | 12 Years a Slave | Nominated | [27] [28] |
| AACTA Awards | January 10, 2014 | Best International Direction | Steve McQueen | Nominated | [27] [28] |
| AACTA Awards | January 10, 2014 | Best International Screenplay | John Ridley | Nominated | [27] [28] |
| AACTA Awards | January 10, 2014 | Best International Actor | Chiwetel Ejiofor | Won | [27] [28] |
| AACTA Awards | January 10, 2014 | Best International Supporting Actor | Michael Fassbender | Won | [27] [28] |
| AACTA Awards | January 10, 2014 | Best International Supporting Actress | Lupita Nyong'o | Nominated | [27] [28] |
| AARP Annual Movies for Grownups Awards | February 10, 2014 | Best Movie for Grownups | 12 Years a Slave | Won | |
| Academy Awards | March 2, 2014 | Best Picture | Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Steve McQueen, and Anthony Katagas | Won | [13] [14] |
| Academy Awards | March 2, 2014 | Best Director | Steve McQueen | Nominated | [13] [14] |
| Academy Awards | March 2, 2014 | Best Actor | Chiwetel Ejiofor | Nominated | [13] [14] |
| Academy Awards | March 2, 2014 | Best Supporting Actor | Michael Fassbender | Nominated | [13] [14] |
| Academy Awards | March 2, 2014 | Best Supporting Actress | Lupita Nyong'o | Won | [13] [14] |
| Academy Awards | March 2, 2014 | Best Adapted Screenplay | John Ridley | Won | [13] [14] |
| Academy Awards | March 2, 2014 | Best Costume Design | Patricia Norris | Nominated | [13] [14] |
| Academy Awards | March 2, 2014 | Best Film Editing | Joe Walker | Nominated | [13] [14] |
| Academy Awards | March 2, 2014 | Best Production Design | Production Design: Adam Stockhausen; Set Decoration: Alice Baker | Nominated | [13] [14] |
| African-American Film Critics Association | December 13, 2013 | Best Film of the Year | 12 Years a Slave | Won | |
| African-American Film Critics Association | December 13, 2013 | Best Director | Steve McQueen | Won | |
| African-American Film Critics Association | December 13, 2013 | Best Breakout Performance | Lupita Nyong'o | Won | |
| African-American Film Critics Association | December 13, 2013 | Best Screenplay | John Ridley | Won | |
| Alliance of Women Film Journalists | December 19, 2013 | Best Film | 12 Years a Slave | Won | [31] [32] |
| Alliance of Women Film Journalists | December 19, 2013 | Best Director (Female or Male) | Steve McQueen | Won | [31] [32] |
| Alliance of Women Film Journalists | December 19, 2013 | Best Actor | Chiwetel Ejiofor | Nominated | [31] [32] |
| Alliance of Women Film Journalists | December 19, 2013 | Best Actor in a Supporting Role | Michael Fassbender | Nominated | [31] [32] |
| Alliance of Women Film Journalists | December 19, 2013 | Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Lupita Nyong'o | Won | [31] [32] |
| Alliance of Women Film Journalists | December 19, 2013 | Best Screenplay, Adapted | John Ridley | Won | [31] [32] |
| Alliance of Women Film Journalists | December 19, 2013 | Best Ensemble Cast | 12 Years a Slave | Nominated | [31] [32] |
| Alliance of Women Film Journalists | December 19, 2013 | Best Cinematography | Sean Bobbitt | Nominated | [31] [32] |
| Alliance of Women Film Journalists | December 19, 2013 | Best Editing | Joe Walker | Nominated | [31] [32] |
| Alliance of Women Film Journalists | December 19, 2013 | Best Music or Score | Hans Zimmer | Nominated | [31] [32] |
| Alliance of Women Film Journalists | December 19, 2013 | Best Breakthrough Performance | Lupita Nyong'o | Won | [31] [32] |
| Alliance of Women Film Journalists | December 19, 2013 | Unforgettable Moment Award | Chiwetel Ejiofor ("Solomon Northup hanging") | Won | [31] [32] |
| Alliance of Women Film Journalists | December 19, 2013 | Unforgettable Moment Award | Lupita Nyong'o ("Patsy pleads for soap") | Nominated | [31] [32] |
| American Black Film Festival | February 19, 2014 | Movie of the Year | 12 Years a Slave | Nominated | [33] [34] |
| American Black Film Festival | February 19, 2014 | Best Director | Steve McQueen | Won | [33] [34] |
| American Black Film Festival | February 19, 2014 | Best Actor | Chiwetel Ejiofor | Won | [33] [34] |
| American Black Film Festival | February 19, 2014 | Best Supporting Actress | Lupita Nyong'o | Won | [33] [34] |
| American Black Film Festival | February 19, 2014 | Best Screenplay | John Ridley | Won | [33] [34] |
| American Black Film Festival | February 19, 2014 | Breakout Performance | Lupita Nyong'o | Nominated | [33] [34] |
| American Black Film Festival | February 19, 2014 | Studio of the Year | 20th Century Fox/Fox Searchlight Pictures (12 Years a Slave, Baggage Claim, and Black Nativity) | Nominated | [33] [34] |
| American Cinema Editors | February 7, 2014 | Best Edited Feature Film – Dramatic | Joe Walker | Nominated | |
| American Film Institute | December 9, 2013 | Top 10 Movies of the Year | 12 Years a Slave | Won | |
| American Society of Cinematographers | February 2, 2014 | Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Theatrical Releases | Sean Bobbitt | Nominated | |
| Art Directors Guild | February 8, 2014 | Excellence in Production Design – Period Film | Adam Stockhausen | Nominated | |
| Austin Film Critics Association | December 17, 2013 | AFCA 2013 Top Ten Films | 12 Years a Slave | 2nd Place | [38] [39] |
| Austin Film Critics Association | December 17, 2013 | Best Actor | Chiwetel Ejiofor | Won | [38] [39] |
| Austin Film Critics Association | December 17, 2013 | Best Supporting Actress | Lupita Nyong'o | Won | [38] [39] |
| Austin Film Critics Association | December 17, 2013 | Best Adapted Screenplay | John Ridley | Won | [38] [39] |
| Black Reel Awards | February 13, 2014 | Best Film | 12 Years a Slave | Won | [40] [41] |
| Black Reel Awards | February 13, 2014 | Best Director | Steve McQueen | Won | [40] [41] |
| Black Reel Awards | February 13, 2014 | Best Actor | Chiwetel Ejiofor | Won | [40] [41] |
| Black Reel Awards | February 13, 2014 | Best Supporting Actress | Lupita Nyong'o | Won | [40] [41] |
| Black Reel Awards | February 13, 2014 | Best Screenplay, Adapted or Original | John Ridley | Won | [40] [41] |
| Black Reel Awards | February 13, 2014 | Best Ensemble | The cast of 12 Years a Slave | Won | [40] [41] |
| Black Reel Awards | February 13, 2014 | Best Original Score | Hans Zimmer | Won | [40] [41] |
| Black Reel Awards | February 13, 2014 | Best Original or Adapted Song | Alicia Keys for "Queen of the Field (Patsey’s Song)" | Nominated | [40] [41] |
| Black Reel Awards | February 13, 2014 | Outstanding Breakthrough Actress Performance | Lupita Nyong'o | Won | [40] [41] |
| Boston Society of Film Critics | December 8, 2013 | Best Film | 12 Years a Slave | Won | |
| Boston Society of Film Critics | December 8, 2013 | Best Director | Steve McQueen | Won | |
| Boston Society of Film Critics | December 8, 2013 | Best Actor | Chiwetel Ejiofor | Won | |
| Boston Society of Film Critics | December 8, 2013 | Best Supporting Actress | Lupita Nyong'o | Runner-up | |
| Britannia Awards | November 9, 2013 | British Artist of the Year | Benedict Cumberbatch (12 Years a Slave, August: Osage County, The Fifth Estate, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, and Star Trek Into Darkness) | Won | |
| British Academy Film Awards | February 16, 2014 | Best Film | 12 Years a Slave | Won | [19] [20] |
| British Academy Film Awards | February 16, 2014 | Best Director | Steve McQueen | Nominated | [19] [20] |
| British Academy Film Awards | February 16, 2014 | Best Actor | Chiwetel Ejiofor | Won | [19] [20] |
| British Academy Film Awards | February 16, 2014 | Best Supporting Actor | Michael Fassbender | Nominated | [19] [20] |
| British Academy Film Awards | February 16, 2014 | Best Supporting Actress | Lupita Nyong'o | Nominated | [19] [20] |
| British Academy Film Awards | February 16, 2014 | Best Adapted Screenplay | John Ridley | Nominated | [19] [20] |
| British Academy Film Awards | February 16, 2014 | Best Cinematography | Sean Bobbitt | Nominated | [19] [20] |
| British Academy Film Awards | February 16, 2014 | Best Original Music | Hans Zimmer | Nominated | [19] [20] |
| British Academy Film Awards | February 16, 2014 | Best Production Design | Adam Stockhausen, and Alice Baker | Nominated | [19] [20] |
| British Academy Film Awards | February 16, 2014 | Best Editing | Joe Walker | Nominated | [19] [20] |
| British Academy Film Awards | February 16, 2014 | Rising Star | Lupita Nyong'o | Nominated | [19] [20] |
| Broadcast Film Critics Association | January 16, 2014 | Best Picture | 12 Years a Slave | Won | [44] [45] |
| Broadcast Film Critics Association | January 16, 2014 | Best Director | Steve McQueen | Nominated | [44] [45] |
| Broadcast Film Critics Association | January 16, 2014 | Best Actor | Chiwetel Ejiofor | Nominated | [44] [45] |
| Broadcast Film Critics Association | January 16, 2014 | Best Supporting Actor | Michael Fassbender | Nominated | [44] [45] |
| Broadcast Film Critics Association | January 16, 2014 | Best Supporting Actress | Lupita Nyong'o | Won | [44] [45] |
| Broadcast Film Critics Association | January 16, 2014 | Best Acting Ensemble | 12 Years a Slave | Nominated | [44] [45] |
| Broadcast Film Critics Association | January 16, 2014 | Best Adapted Screenplay | John Ridley | Won | [44] [45] |
| Broadcast Film Critics Association | January 16, 2014 | Best Art Direction | Adam Stockhausen, and Alice Baker | Nominated | [44] [45] |
| Broadcast Film Critics Association | January 16, 2014 | Best Cinematography | Sean Bobbitt | Nominated | [44] [45] |
| Broadcast Film Critics Association | January 16, 2014 | Best Costume Design | Patricia Norris | Nominated | [44] [45] |
| Broadcast Film Critics Association | January 16, 2014 | Best Editing | Joe Walker | Nominated | [44] [45] |
| Broadcast Film Critics Association | January 16, 2014 | Best Makeup | Ma Kalaadevi Ananda | Nominated | [44] [45] |
| Broadcast Film Critics Association | January 16, 2014 | Best Score | Hans Zimmer | Nominated | [44] [45] |
| Camerimage | November 23, 2013 | Golden Frog Award | 12 Years a Slave | Nominated | |
| Casting Society of America | January 22, 2015 | Big Budget Drama | Francine Maisler, Meagan Lewis, Melissa Kostenbauder | Won | [47] [48] |
| César Award | February 20, 2015 | Best Foreign Film | 12 Years a Slave | Nominated | |
| Chicago Film Critics Association | December 16, 2013 | Best Film | 12 Years a Slave | Won | [50] [51] |
| Chicago Film Critics Association | December 16, 2013 | Best Director | Steve McQueen | Won | [50] [51] |
| Chicago Film Critics Association | December 16, 2013 | Best Actor | Chiwetel Ejiofor | Won | [50] [51] |
| Chicago Film Critics Association | December 16, 2013 | Best Supporting Actor | Michael Fassbender | Nominated | [50] [51] |
| Chicago Film Critics Association | December 16, 2013 | Best Supporting Actress | Lupita Nyong'o | Won | [50] [51] |
| Chicago Film Critics Association | December 16, 2013 | Best Adapted Screenplay | John Ridley | Won | [50] [51] |
| Chicago Film Critics Association | December 16, 2013 | Best Original Score | Hans Zimmer | Nominated | [50] [51] |
| Chicago Film Critics Association | December 16, 2013 | Best Cinematography | Sean Bobbitt | Nominated | [50] [51] |
| Chicago Film Critics Association | December 16, 2013 | Best Art Direction/Production Design | Adam Stockhausen, and Alice Baker | Nominated | [50] [51] |
| Chicago Film Critics Association | December 16, 2013 | Best Editing | Joe Walker | Nominated | [50] [51] |
| Chicago Film Critics Association | December 16, 2013 | Most Promising Performer | Lupita Nyong'o | Nominated | [50] [51] |
| Costume Designers Guild | February 22, 2014 | Excellence in Period Film | Patricia Norris | Won | |
| Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association | December 16, 2013 | Top 10 Films | 12 Years a Slave | 1st Place | |
| Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association | December 16, 2013 | Best Director | Steve McQueen | 2nd Place | |
| Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association | December 16, 2013 | Best Actor | Chiwetel Ejiofor | 2nd Place | |
| Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association | December 16, 2013 | Best Supporting Actor | Michael Fassbender | 2nd Place | |
| Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association | December 16, 2013 | Best Supporting Actress | Lupita Nyong'o | 1st Place | |
| Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association | December 16, 2013 | Best Screenplay | John Ridley | 1st Place | |
| Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association | December 16, 2013 | Best Cinematography | Sean Bobbitt | 2nd Place | |
| David di Donatello | June 10, 2014 | Best Foreign Film | 12 Years a Slave | Nominated | |
| Detroit Film Critics Society | December 13, 2013 | Best Film | 12 Years a Slave | Nominated | |
| Detroit Film Critics Society | December 13, 2013 | Best Actor | Chiwetel Ejiofor | Nominated | |
| Detroit Film Critics Society | December 13, 2013 | Best Supporting Actress | Lupita Nyong'o | Nominated | |
| Detroit Film Critics Society | December 13, 2013 | Best Ensemble Cast | 12 Years a Slave | Nominated | |
| Directors Guild of America Award | January 25, 2014 | Outstanding Directing – Feature Film | Steve McQueen | Nominated | |
| Dublin Film Festival | December 17, 2014 | Top 10 Films | 12 Years a Slave | 5th place | |
| Dublin Film Festival | December 17, 2014 | Best Director | Steve McQueen | 7th place | |
| Dublin Film Festival | December 17, 2014 | Best Actor | Chiwetel Ejiofor (tied with Tom Hardy for Locke, Joaquin Phoenix for Her, and Bill Hader for The Skeleton Twins) | 10th place | |
| Empire Awards | March 30, 2014 | Best Film | 12 Years a Slave | Nominated | [57] [58] |
| Empire Awards | March 30, 2014 | Best Director | Steve McQueen | Nominated | [57] [58] |
| Empire Awards | March 30, 2014 | Best Actor | Chiwetel Ejiofor | Nominated | [57] [58] |
| Empire Awards | March 30, 2014 | Best Supporting Actor | Michael Fassbender | Won | [57] [58] |
| Empire Awards | March 30, 2014 | Best Supporting Actress | Lupita Nyong'o | Nominated | [57] [58] |
| Empire Awards | March 30, 2014 | Best Female Newcomer | Lupita Nyong'o | Nominated | [57] [58] |
| Florida Film Critics Circle | December 18, 2013 | Best Film | 12 Years a Slave | Won | |
| Florida Film Critics Circle | December 18, 2013 | Best Director | Steve McQueen | Won | |
| Florida Film Critics Circle | December 18, 2013 | Best Actor | Chiwetel Ejiofor | Won | |
| Florida Film Critics Circle | December 18, 2013 | Best Supporting Actor | Michael Fassbender | Runner-up | |
| Florida Film Critics Circle | December 18, 2013 | Best Supporting Actress | Lupita Nyong'o | Won | |
| Florida Film Critics Circle | December 18, 2013 | Best Adapted Screenplay | John Ridley | Won | |
| Florida Film Critics Circle | December 18, 2013 | Pauline Kael Breakout Award | Lupita Nyong'o | Won | |
| Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association | January 21, 2014 | Film of the Year | 12 Years a Slave | Won | [60] [61] |
| Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association | January 21, 2014 | Film Performance of the Year – Actor | Chiwetel Ejiofor | Nominated | [60] [61] |
| Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association | January 21, 2014 | Film Performance of the Year – Actress | Lupita Nyong'o | Nominated | [60] [61] |
| Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association | January 21, 2014 | Rising Star Award | Lupita Nyong'o | Nominated | [60] [61] |
| Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association | January 21, 2014 | Wilde Artist of the Year | Steve McQueen | Nominated | [60] [61] |
| Golden Globe Awards | January 12, 2014 | Best Motion Picture – Drama | 12 Years a Slave | Won | [17] [18] |
| Golden Globe Awards | January 12, 2014 | Best Director – Motion Picture | Steve McQueen | Nominated | [17] [18] |
| Golden Globe Awards | January 12, 2014 | Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama | Chiwetel Ejiofor | Nominated | [17] [18] |
| Golden Globe Awards | January 12, 2014 | Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role – Motion Picture | Michael Fassbender | Nominated | [17] [18] |
| Golden Globe Awards | January 12, 2014 | Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role – Motion Picture | Lupita Nyong'o | Nominated | [17] [18] |
| Golden Globe Awards | January 12, 2014 | Best Screenplay – Motion Picture | John Ridley | Nominated | [17] [18] |
| Golden Globe Awards | January 12, 2014 | Best Original Score – Motion Picture | Hans Zimmer | Nominated | [17] [18] |
| Golden Tomato Awards | January 9, 2014 | Wide Release | 12 Years a Slave | Runner-up | [62] [63] |
| Golden Tomato Awards | January 9, 2014 | Drama | 12 Years a Slave | Won | [62] [63] |
| Gotham Awards | December 2, 2013 | Audience Award | 12 Years a Slave | Nominated | |
| Gotham Awards | December 2, 2013 | Best Feature | 12 Years a Slave | Nominated | |
| Gotham Awards | December 2, 2013 | Best Actor | Chiwetel Ejiofor | Nominated | |
| Gotham Awards | December 2, 2013 | Breakthrough Actor | Lupita Nyong'o | Nominated | |
| Guardian Film Awards | March 6, 2014 | Best Film | 12 Years a Slave | Nominated | [65] [66] |
| Guardian Film Awards | March 6, 2014 | Best Director | Steve McQueen | Won | [65] [66] |
| Guardian Film Awards | March 6, 2014 | Best Actor | Chiwetel Ejiofor | Nominated | [65] [66] |
| Guardian Film Awards | March 6, 2014 | Best Supporting Actor | Michael Fassbender | Nominated | [65] [66] |
| Guardian Film Awards | March 6, 2014 | Best Supporting Actor | Lupita Nyong'o | Nominated | [65] [66] |
| Guardian Film Awards | March 6, 2014 | Best Scene | "Patsy returning with the soap" | Nominated | [65] [66] |
| Guardian Film Awards | March 6, 2014 | Best Dialogue | Liza J Bennett | Nominated | [65] [66] |
| Guardian Film Awards | March 6, 2014 | Biggest game-changer | 12 Years a Slave | Nominated | [65] [66] |
| Guldbagge Awards | January 20, 2014 | Best Foreign Film | 12 Years a Slave | Nominated | |
| Hamptons International Film Festival | October 20, 2013 | Breakthrough Performer | Lupita Nyong'o | Won | |
| Hollywood Film Festival | October 20, 2013 | Breakthrough Directing | Steve McQueen | Won | |
| Hollywood Film Festival | October 20, 2013 | New Hollywood Award | Lupita Nyong'o | Won | |
| Houston Film Critics Society | December 15, 2013 | Best Picture | 12 Years a Slave | Won | [70] [71] |
| Houston Film Critics Society | December 15, 2013 | Best Director | Steve McQueen | Nominated | [70] [71] |
| Houston Film Critics Society | December 15, 2013 | Best Actor | Chiwetel Ejiofor | Won | [70] [71] |
| Houston Film Critics Society | December 15, 2013 | Best Supporting Actor | Michael Fassbender | Nominated | [70] [71] |
| Houston Film Critics Society | December 15, 2013 | Best Supporting Actress | Lupita Nyong'o | Won | [70] [71] |
| Houston Film Critics Society | December 15, 2013 | Best Screenplay | John Ridley | Won | [70] [71] |
| Houston Film Critics Society | December 15, 2013 | Best Cinematography | Sean Bobbitt | Nominated | [70] [71] |
| Houston Film Critics Society | December 15, 2013 | Best Original Score | Hans Zimmer | Nominated | [70] [71] |
| Independent Spirit Awards | March 1, 2014 | Best Feature | 12 Years a Slave | Won | [72] [73] |
| Independent Spirit Awards | March 1, 2014 | Best Director | Steve McQueen | Won | [72] [73] |
| Independent Spirit Awards | March 1, 2014 | Best Male Lead | Chiwetel Ejiofor | Nominated | [72] [73] |
| Independent Spirit Awards | March 1, 2014 | Best Supporting Female | Lupita Nyong'o | Won | [72] [73] |
| Independent Spirit Awards | March 1, 2014 | Best Supporting Male | Michael Fassbender | Nominated | [72] [73] |
| Independent Spirit Awards | March 1, 2014 | Best Screenplay | John Ridley | Won | [72] [73] |
| Independent Spirit Awards | March 1, 2014 | Best Cinematography | Sean Bobbitt | Won | [72] [73] |
| Irish Film & Television Academy | April 5, 2014 | Best Supporting Actor | Michael Fassbender | Won | [74] [75] |
| Irish Film & Television Academy | April 5, 2014 | Best International Film | 12 Years a Slave | Nominated | [74] [75] |
| Irish Film & Television Academy | April 5, 2014 | Best International Actor | Chiwetel Ejiofor | Won | [74] [75] |
| London Film Critics' Circle | February 2, 2014 | Film of the Year | 12 Years a Slave | Won | [76] [77] |
| London Film Critics' Circle | February 2, 2014 | Director of the Year | Steve McQueen | Nominated | [76] [77] |
| London Film Critics' Circle | February 2, 2014 | Actor of the Year | Chiwetel Ejiofor | Won | [76] [77] |
| London Film Critics' Circle | February 2, 2014 | Supporting Actor of the Year | Michael Fassbender | Nominated | [76] [77] |
| London Film Critics' Circle | February 2, 2014 | Supporting Actress of the Year | Lupita Nyong'o | Won | [76] [77] |
| London Film Critics' Circle | February 2, 2014 | British Actor of the Year | Chiwetel Ejiofor | Nominated | [76] [77] |
| London Film Critics' Circle | February 2, 2014 | British Actor of the Year | Michael Fassbender (12 Years a Slave and The Counselor) | Nominated | [76] [77] |
| London Film Critics' Circle | February 2, 2014 | Screenwriter of the Year | John Ridley | Nominated | [76] [77] |
| London Film Critics' Circle | February 2, 2014 | Technical Achievement Award | Sean Bobbitt (cinematography) | Nominated | [76] [77] |
| Los Angeles Film Critics Association | December 8, 2013 | Best Actor | Chiwetel Ejiofor | Runner-up | |
| Los Angeles Film Critics Association | December 8, 2013 | Best Supporting Actress | Lupita Nyong'o | Won | |
| Los Angeles Film Critics Association | December 8, 2013 | Special Citation | The Creative Team of 12 Years a Slave | Won | |
| Mill Valley Film Festival | October 11, 2013 | Overall Audience Favorite | 12 Years a Slave | Won | [79] [80] |
| Mill Valley Film Festival | October 11, 2013 | MVFF Award | Steve McQueen, and Chiwetel Ejiofor | Won | [79] [80] |
| Motion Picture Sound Editors Golden Reel Awards | February 16, 2014 | Best Sound Editing: Music Score in a Feature Film | Katrina Schiller | Nominated | [81] [82] |
| Motion Picture Sound Editors Golden Reel Awards | February 16, 2014 | Best Sound Editing: Sound Effects & Foley in a Feature Film | Ryan Collins, and Robert Jackson | Nominated | [81] [82] |
| Motion Picture Sound Editors Golden Reel Awards | February 16, 2014 | Best Sound Editing: Dialogue & ADR in a Feature Film | Ryan Collins | Nominated | [81] [82] |
| MTV Movie & TV Awards | April 13, 2014 | Movie of the Year | 12 Years a Slave | Nominated | |
| MTV Movie & TV Awards | April 13, 2014 | Best Male Performance | Chiwetel Ejiofor | Nominated | |
| MTV Movie & TV Awards | April 13, 2014 | Best Female Performance | Lupita Nyong'o | Nominated | |
| MTV Movie & TV Awards | April 13, 2014 | Best Villain | Michael Fassbender | Nominated | |
| NAACP Image Awards | February 22, 2014 | Outstanding Motion Picture | 12 Years a Slave | Won | [84] [85] |
| NAACP Image Awards | February 22, 2014 | Directing in a Motion Picture | Steve McQueen | Won | [84] [85] |
| NAACP Image Awards | February 22, 2014 | Writing in a Motion Picture | John Ridley | Won | [84] [85] |
| NAACP Image Awards | February 22, 2014 | Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture | Chiwetel Ejiofor | Nominated | [84] [85] |
| NAACP Image Awards | February 22, 2014 | Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture | Alfre Woodard | Nominated | [84] [85] |
| NAACP Image Awards | February 22, 2014 | Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture | Lupita Nyong'o | Won | [84] [85] |
| National Board of Review | December 4, 2013 | Top Ten Films | 12 Years a Slave | Won | |
| National Society of Film Critics | January 4, 2014 | Best Picture | 12 Years a Slave | Runner-up | |
| National Society of Film Critics | January 4, 2014 | Best Director | Steve McQueen | Runner-up | |
| National Society of Film Critics | January 4, 2014 | Best Actor | Chiwetel Ejiofor | Runner-up | |
| National Society of Film Critics | January 4, 2014 | Best Supporting Actress | Lupita Nyong'o | Runner-up | |
| New York Film Critics Circle | December 3, 2013 | Best Film | 12 Years a Slave | Runner-up | |
| New York Film Critics Circle | December 3, 2013 | Best Director | Steve McQueen | Won | |
| New York Film Critics Circle | December 3, 2013 | Best Actor | Chiwetel Ejiofor | Runner-up | |
| New York Film Critics Circle | December 3, 2013 | Best Supporting Actor | Michael Fassbender | Runner-up | |
| New York Film Critics Circle | December 3, 2013 | Best Supporting Actress | Lupita Nyong'o | Runner-up | |
| New York Film Critics Online | December 8, 2013 | Top Films | 12 Years a Slave | Won | |
| New York Film Critics Online | December 8, 2013 | Best Picture | 12 Years a Slave | Won | |
| New York Film Critics Online | December 8, 2013 | Best Actor | Chiwetel Ejiofor | Won | |
| New York Film Critics Online | December 8, 2013 | Best Supporting Actress | Lupita Nyong'o | Won | |
| Online Film Critics Society | December 16, 2013 | Best Picture | 12 Years a Slave | Won | [90] [91] |
| Online Film Critics Society | December 16, 2013 | Best Director | Steve McQueen | Nominated | [90] [91] |
| Online Film Critics Society | December 16, 2013 | Best Actor | Chiwetel Ejiofor | Won | [90] [91] |
| Online Film Critics Society | December 16, 2013 | Best Supporting Actor | Michael Fassbender | Won | [90] [91] |
| Online Film Critics Society | December 16, 2013 | Best Supporting Actress | Lupita Nyong'o | Won | [90] [91] |
| Online Film Critics Society | December 16, 2013 | Best Adapted Screenplay | John Ridley | Won | [90] [91] |
| Online Film Critics Society | December 16, 2013 | Best Cinematography | Sean Bobbitt | Nominated | [90] [91] |
| Online Film Critics Society | December 16, 2013 | Best Editing | Joe Walker | Nominated | [90] [91] |
| Palm Springs International Film Festival | January 13, 2014 | Director of the Year Award | Steve McQueen | Won | [92] [93] |
| Palm Springs International Film Festival | January 13, 2014 | Breakthrough Performance | Lupita Nyong'o | Won | [92] [93] |
| Producers Guild of America Award | January 19, 2014 | Best Theatrical Motion Picture | Anthony Katagas, Jeremy Kleiner, Steve McQueen, Brad Pitt, and Dede Gardner (tied with Alfonso Cuarón and David Heyman for Gravity) | Won (Tied) | |
| San Diego Film Critics Society | December 11, 2013 | Best Film | 12 Years a Slave | Nominated | |
| San Diego Film Critics Society | December 11, 2013 | Best Director | Steve McQueen | Nominated | |
| San Diego Film Critics Society | December 11, 2013 | Best Actor | Chiwetel Ejiofor | Nominated | |
| San Diego Film Critics Society | December 11, 2013 | Best Supporting Actor | Michael Fassbender | Nominated | |
| San Diego Film Critics Society | December 11, 2013 | Best Supporting Actress | Lupita Nyong'o | Nominated | |
| San Diego Film Critics Society | December 11, 2013 | Best Adapted Screenplay | John Ridley | Nominated | |
| San Diego Film Critics Society | December 11, 2013 | Best Ensemble | 12 Years a Slave | Nominated | |
| San Diego Film Critics Society | December 11, 2013 | Best Editing | Joe Walker | Nominated | |
| San Diego Film Critics Society | December 11, 2013 | Best Original Score | Hans Zimmer | Nominated | |
| San Diego Film Critics Society | December 11, 2013 | Best Production Design | Adam Stockhausen, and Alice Baker | Nominated | |
| San Francisco Film Critics Circle | December 15, 2013 | Best Picture | 12 Years a Slave | Won | [95] [96] |
| San Francisco Film Critics Circle | December 15, 2013 | Best Director | Steve McQueen | Nominated | [95] [96] |
| San Francisco Film Critics Circle | December 15, 2013 | Best Actor | Chiwetel Ejiofor | Won | [95] [96] |
| San Francisco Film Critics Circle | December 15, 2013 | Best Supporting Actor | Michael Fassbender | Nominated | [95] [96] |
| San Francisco Film Critics Circle | December 15, 2013 | Best Supporting Actress | Lupita Nyong'o | Nominated | [95] [96] |
| San Francisco Film Critics Circle | December 15, 2013 | Best Adapted Screenplay | John Ridley | Won | [95] [96] |
| San Francisco Film Critics Circle | December 15, 2013 | Best Cinematography | Sean Bobbitt | Nominated | [95] [96] |
| San Francisco Film Critics Circle | December 15, 2013 | Best Editing | Joe Walker | Nominated | [95] [96] |
| San Francisco Film Critics Circle | December 15, 2013 | Best Production Design | Adam Stockhausen | Nominated | [95] [96] |
| Satellite Awards | February 23, 2014 | Best Motion Picture | 12 Years a Slave | Won | [97] [98] |
| Satellite Awards | February 23, 2014 | Best Director | Steve McQueen | Won | [97] [98] |
| Satellite Awards | February 23, 2014 | Best Actor – Motion Picture | Chiwetel Ejiofor | Nominated | [97] [98] |
| Satellite Awards | February 23, 2014 | Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture | Michael Fassbender | Nominated | [97] [98] |
| Satellite Awards | February 23, 2014 | Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture | Lupita Nyong'o | Nominated | [97] [98] |
| Satellite Awards | February 23, 2014 | Best Adapted Screenplay | John Ridley | Nominated | [97] [98] |
| Satellite Awards | February 23, 2014 | Best Cinematography | Sean Bobbitt | Nominated | [97] [98] |
| Satellite Awards | February 23, 2014 | Best Costume Design | Patricia Norris | Nominated | [97] [98] |
| Satellite Awards | February 23, 2014 | Best Editing | Joe Walker | Nominated | [97] [98] |
| Satellite Awards | February 23, 2014 | Best Original Score | Hans Zimmer | Nominated | [97] [98] |
| Saturn Awards | June 26, 2014 | Best Independent Film | 12 Years a Slave | Won | [99] [100] |
| Screen Actors Guild Awards | January 18, 2014 | Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture | Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Garret Dillahunt, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Paul Giamatti, Scoot McNairy, Lupita Nyong'o, Adepero Oduye, Sarah Paulson, Brad Pitt, Michael Kenneth Williams, and Alfre Woodard | Nominated | [22] [23] |
| Screen Actors Guild Awards | January 18, 2014 | Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role | Chiwetel Ejiofor | Nominated | [22] [23] |
| Screen Actors Guild Awards | January 18, 2014 | Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role | Michael Fassbender | Nominated | [22] [23] |
| Screen Actors Guild Awards | January 18, 2014 | Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role | Lupita Nyong'o | Won | [22] [23] |
| Screen Nation Awards | February 23, 2014 | Favourite International Movie | 12 Years a Slave | Won | |
| Screen Nation Awards | February 23, 2014 | Male Performance in Film | Chiwetel Ejiofor | Won | |
| Screen Nation Awards | February 23, 2014 | Favourite Female African Rising Screen Talent | Lupita Nyong'o | Won | |
| St. Louis Film Critics Association | December 16, 2013 | Best Film | 12 Years a Slave | Won | [102] [103] |
| St. Louis Film Critics Association | December 16, 2013 | Best Director | Steve McQueen | Won | [102] [103] |
| St. Louis Film Critics Association | December 16, 2013 | Best Actor | Chiwetel Ejiofor | Won | [102] [103] |
| St. Louis Film Critics Association | December 16, 2013 | Best Supporting Actor | Michael Fassbender | Nominated | [102] [103] |
| St. Louis Film Critics Association | December 16, 2013 | Best Supporting Actress | Lupita Nyong'o | Won | [102] [103] |
| St. Louis Film Critics Association | December 16, 2013 | Best Adapted Screenplay | John Ridley, and Solomon Northup | Won | [102] [103] |
| St. Louis Film Critics Association | December 16, 2013 | Best Art Direction | Adam Stockhausen (production designer), and Alice Baker (set decorator) | Nominated | [102] [103] |
| St. Louis Film Critics Association | December 16, 2013 | Best Cinematography | Sean Bobbitt | Won | [102] [103] |
| St. Louis Film Critics Association | December 16, 2013 | Best Musical Score | Hans Zimmer | Nominated | [102] [103] |
| St. Louis Film Critics Association | December 16, 2013 | Best Scene | "The hanging scene" | Won | [102] [103] |
| Stockholm International Film Festival | November 14, 2013 | Bronze Horse for Best Film – Special Mention | Steve McQueen | Won | |
| Stockholm International Film Festival | November 14, 2013 | Best Film Music | Hans Zimmer | Won | |
| Toronto Film Critics Association | December 17, 2013 | Best Film | 12 Years a Slave | Runner-up | [105] [106] |
| Toronto Film Critics Association | December 17, 2013 | Best Director | Steve McQueen | Runner-up | [105] [106] |
| Toronto Film Critics Association | December 17, 2013 | Best Actor | Chiwetel Ejiofor | Runner-up | [105] [106] |
| Toronto Film Critics Association | December 17, 2013 | Best Supporting Actor | Michael Fassbender | Runner-up | [105] [106] |
| Toronto Film Critics Association | December 17, 2013 | Best Supporting Actress | Lupita Nyong'o | Runner-up | [105] [106] |
| Toronto International Film Festival | September 15, 2013 | People's Choice Award | Steve McQueen | Won | |
| USC Libraries Scripter Award | February 8, 2014 | Best Adapted Screenplay | John Ridley (screenwriter), and Solomon Northup (author) | Won | |
| Vancouver Film Critics Circle | January 7, 2014 | Best Film | 12 Years a Slave | Won | [108] [109] |
| Vancouver Film Critics Circle | January 7, 2014 | Best Actor | Chiwetel Ejiofor | Nominated | [108] [109] |
| Vancouver Film Critics Circle | January 7, 2014 | Best Supporting Actor | Michael Fassbender | Nominated | [108] [109] |
| Vancouver Film Critics Circle | January 7, 2014 | Best Supporting Actress | Lupita Nyong'o | Nominated | [108] [109] |
| Vancouver Film Critics Circle | January 7, 2014 | Best Director | Steve McQueen | Nominated | [108] [109] |
| Vancouver Film Critics Circle | January 7, 2014 | Best Screenplay | John Ridley | Nominated | [108] [109] |
| Village Voice Film Poll | December 22, 2013 | Best Director | Steve McQueen | Won | [110] [111] [112] [113] |
| Village Voice Film Poll | December 22, 2013 | Best Actor | Chiwetel Ejiofor | Won | [110] [111] [112] [113] |
| Village Voice Film Poll | December 22, 2013 | Best Supporting Actor | Michael Fassbender | Runner-up | [110] [111] [112] [113] |
| Village Voice Film Poll | December 22, 2013 | Best Supporting Actress | Lupita Nyong'o | Won | [110] [111] [112] [113] |
| Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association | December 9, 2013 | Best Film | 12 Years a Slave | Won | [114] [115] |
| Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association | December 9, 2013 | Best Director | Steve McQueen | Nominated | [114] [115] |
| Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association | December 9, 2013 | Best Actor | Chiwetel Ejiofor | Won | [114] [115] |
| Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association | December 9, 2013 | Best Supporting Actor | Michael Fassbender | Nominated | [114] [115] |
| Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association | December 9, 2013 | Best Supporting Actress | Lupita Nyong'o | Won | [114] [115] |
| Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association | December 9, 2013 | Best Acting Ensemble | 12 Years a Slave | Won | [114] [115] |
| Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association | December 9, 2013 | Best Adapted Screenplay | John Ridley | Won | [114] [115] |
| Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association | December 9, 2013 | Best Art Direction | Adam Stockhausen (production designer), and Alice Baker (set decorator) | Nominated | [114] [115] |
| Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association | December 9, 2013 | Best Cinematography | Sean Bobbitt | Nominated | [114] [115] |
| Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association | December 9, 2013 | Best Editing | Joe Walker | Nominated | [114] [115] |
| Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association | December 9, 2013 | Best Score | Hans Zimmer | Won | [114] [115] |
| Women Film Critics Circle | December 17, 2013 | Best Actor | Chiwetel Ejiofor | Won | |
| Women Film Critics Circle | December 17, 2013 | Best Male Images in a Movie | Chiwetel Ejiofor | Won | |
| Women Film Critics Circle | December 17, 2013 | Josephine Baker Award | 12 Years a Slave | Won | |