Steve McQueen's "12 Years A Slave" won the prestigious audience award at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival, cementing its already cemented status as one of the year's premier Oscar contenders.


Films that have won the festival's People's Choice honor over the last 15 years include Best Picture winners "American Beauty" (1999), "Slumdog Millionaire" (2008) and "The King's Speech" (2011), and Best Picture nominees "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" (2000), "Precious" (2009) and last year's "Silver Linings Playbook."


Starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Lupita Nyong'o, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Paul Giamatti, Alfre Woodard, Sarah Paulson and Brad Pitt, "12 Years A Slave" tells the true story of Solomon Northup (Ejiofor), a free man who gets kidnapped and sold into slavery. In addition to presumed Best Picture and Best Director consideration, actors Ejiofor, Fassbender and Nyong'o are expected to compete for Oscar glory in their respective categories.


"Philomena" and "Prisoners" were named runners-up to "12 Years A Slave" for the audience award; last year, eventual Best Picture winner "Argo" was selected as runner-up to "Silver Linings Playbook." In fact, the last six Best Picture winners screened during the Toronto International Film Festival, giving hope to films like "Gravity" and "August: Osage County," neither of which factored into Sunday's awards announcements.


For more on "12 Years A Slave" and its most recent honor, head to THR.


[via THR]



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  • Julia Roberts


    Julia Roberts arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Harvey Weinstein


    Harvey Weinstein arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. The movie mogul talks to Associated Press in an exclusive interview about the "12-12-12" (Sandy benefit at MSG) documentary he premiered at TIFF, and how they amassed the biggest names in music. He also spoke about his TIFF premiere of "August: Osage County," and how proud he is of "The Butler." (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Harvey Weinstein


    Harvey Weinstein arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. The movie mogul talks to Associated Press in an exclusive interview about the "12-12-12" (Sandy benefit at MSG) documentary he premiered at TIFF, and how they amassed the biggest names in music. He also spoke about his TIFF premiere of "August: Osage County," and how proud he is of "The Butler." (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julia Roberts


    Julia Roberts arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Juliette Lewis


    Juliette Lewis arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Juliette Lewis


    Juliette Lewis arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julia Roberts, Dermot Mulroney


    Julia Roberts, left, and Dermot Mulroney arrive at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julia Roberts


    Julia Roberts arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Chris Cooper


    Chris Cooper arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julia Roberts


    Julia Roberts arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julia Roberts, Dermot Mulroney


    Julia Roberts, left, and Dermot Mulroney arrive at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julia Roberts, Dermot Mulroney


    Julia Roberts, left, and Dermot Mulroney arrive at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Dermot Mulroney


    Dermot Mulroney arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Abigail Breslin


    Abigail Breslin arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Dermot Mulroney


    Dermot Mulroney signs autographs for fans at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Dermot Mulroney


    Dermot Mulroney arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Abigail Breslin


    Abigail Breslin arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Juliette Lewis


    Juliette Lewis arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julia Roberts


    Julia Roberts arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julianne Nicholson


    Julianne Nicholson arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julia Roberts


    Julia Roberts arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julia Roberts


    Julia Roberts arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Ewan McGregor


    Ewan McGregor arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Ewan McGregor


    Ewan McGregor arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Dermot Mulroney


    Dermot Mulroney arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julia Roberts


    Actress Julia Roberts poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County " during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Chris Cooper


    Actor Chris Cooper poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Chris Cooper


    Actor Chris Cooper poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Juliette Lewis


    Actress Juliette Lewis poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie " August, Osage County " during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • John Wells


    Director John Wells poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Juliette Lewis


    Actress Juliette Lewis poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie " August, Osage County " during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Abigail Breslin


    Actress Abigail Breslin poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Abigail Breslin


    Actress Abigail Breslin poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Abigail Breslin


    Actress Abigail Breslin poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Abigail Breslin


    Actress Abigail Breslin poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Abigail Breslin


    Actress Abigail Breslin poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Dermot Mulroney


    Actor Dermot Mulroney poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Dermot Mulroney


    Actor Dermot Mulroney waves as he signs autographs for fans on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Abigail Breslin


    Actress Abigail Breslin poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Julia Roberts


    Actress Julia Roberts poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County " during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Julia Roberts


    Actress Julia Roberts poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County " during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Julia Roberts


    Actress Julia Roberts poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County " during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Scarlett Johansson


    Actress Scarlett Johansson wears a ring as she poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie " Under The Skin " during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Scarlett Johansson


    Actress Scarlett Johansson poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie "Under The Skin" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Jonathan Glazer, Scarlett Johansson


    Actress Scarlett Johansson poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie "Under The Skin" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Scarlett Johansson


    Actress Scarlett Johansson poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie " Under The Skin " during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Scarlett Johansson


    Actress Scarlett Johansson poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie " Under The Skin " during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Jonathan Glazer, Scarlett Johansson


    Actress Scarlett Johansson, right, and director Jonathan Glazer pose for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie "Under The Skin" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Paul Haggis; Liam Neeson; Mila Kunis; Adrien Brody; Olivia Wilde; Moran Atias; Maria Bello, Loan Chabanol


    Actors Adrien Brody, left, and Liam Neeson, centre, pose for a photograph with director Paul Haggis, right, on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie "Third Person" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, September 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadain Press, Michelle Siu)




  • Paul Haggis; Liam Neeson


    Writer and director Paul Haggis, right, and actor Liam Neeson, left, pose for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie "Third Person" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, September 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Michelle Siu)




  • Liam Neeson Adrien Brody


    Actors Adrien Brody, left, and Liam Neeson, right, pose for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie "Third Person" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, September 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Michelle Siu)