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HONOURED: 12 Years A Slave actress Lupita Nyong’o picks up another award

AS IF they don't have enough silverware in the cabinet, the cast and crew from this year's blockbuster 12 Years A Slave had cause for more celebration at Saturday night's National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Awards.

The film's director Steve McQueen and writer John Ridley won kudos during a non-televised portion of the show, while supporting actress Lupita Nyong’o said she was honored to win for a film ”that has inspired discourse long overdue.”

"I'm pleased to be recognised by the people I recognise," she later wrote on her Instagram page.

McQueen could be the first black film-maker ever to scoop the Best Director category at the upcoming Oscars, which would follow his recent win at the Golden Globes.

He becomes the third black director to be nominated for the gong, following John Singleton for Boyz In The Hood, and Lee Daniels for Precious.

Leading man British actor Chiwitel Ejiofor, 36, has also been nominated for Best Actor for his depiction of a free-born black man forced into slavery in 19th Century America

12 Years A Slave is based on the 1853 memoirs of Solomon Northup, who was kidnapped in Washington DC in 1841 and sold into slavery.

Kenyan-born Nyong'o, 31, received a nod for her remarkable performance as Patsey, a young slave girl working on a cotton plantation in Louisiana, alongside Ejiofor and Michael Fassbender, who is up for Best Supporting Actor.

Meanwhile, Forest Whitaker and David Oyelowo were honored for their roles in Lee Daniels’ The Butler and Angela Bassett won the lead actress prize for Black Nativity at Saturday's ceremony.

Whitaker was also honored with the NAACP Chairman’s Award. The Chairman's Award, chosen by Chairman of the NAACP National Board of Directors, Roslyn M. Brock, is bestowed in recognition of special achievement and distinguished public service. Past honorees include Tyler Perry, Former Vice President Al Gore and Aretha Franklin.

"Forest Whitaker embodies the moniker of artist/activist," stated Roslyn M. Brock, Chairman of the NAACP National Board of Directors. "His work in front of and behind the camera engages and entertains, and his service to communities around the world is truly inspirational. It is my honor and privilege to recognize Mr. Whitaker with the Chairman's Award," Brock said.