12 Years A Slave added another trophy to its shelf with a win at the Richard Attenborough Regional Film Critics' Awards last night. To add to its success, Chiwetel Ejiofor took the Best Actor award. It was a home win for both film and actor with director Steve McQueen, receiving the award, saying "I am thrilled... This means so much to me. Thank you for your help in making the film such a success throughout the UK.”
When it cane to Best Director, McQueen was pipped to the post by Alfonso Cuarón, for Gravity, which also took the Visual Effects award. Cate Blanchett took Best Actress for Blue Jasmine; she has been quietly storming through this year's awards and is now favourite for the Oscars.
The British Breakthrough award, which can go to either an actor or a director, was won by 21 year old George MacKay for his work in Sunshine On Leith, How I Live Now and For Those In Peril. Meanwhile, Spike Jonze was named Screenwriter of the Year for Her.
Alongside the critics' awards were a series of awards voted on by the public. In these, Philomena won Best British Film, Frozen took Best Animated Film and Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks were named Best On-screen Duo for Saving Mr. Banks.
