Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave has secured a place as ‘Oscars favorite’ following its triumph at this year’s Toronto Film Festival. The Steve McQueen-directed epic – based on the memoir of Solomon Northrup – remains the odds on choice for Best Picture at 13/4.

Chiwetel Ejiofor 12 Years a SlaveChiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon Northup in 12 Years a Slave.

By winning the BlackBerry People's Choice award, 12 Years a Slave follows in the footsteps of previous Oscar winners, The Kings Speech and Slumdog Millionaire. What was once a the faint hum of Oscars buzz is now a powerful thud as McQueen’s latest effort leaves Mandela and Osage County in its wake.

It will still face stiff competition from the likes of Gravity – Alfonso Cuaron’s space thriller – and The Monuments Men – written, directed by and starring George Clooney. Both films, according to the odds, stand an outside chance of a win, and could be a sensible option if you’re leaning towards a flutter.

Watch the trailer for 12 Years a Slave:

12 Years has also put Chiwetel Ejiofor – the film’s lead – in a strong position for a Best Actor nod. He and Michael Fassbender – a double threat with The Counselor – are sure to be in the voter’s minds when the individual gongs are being narrowed down.

Sliding from favourite was David O Russell’s American Hustle, which sees Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper unite, while Christian Bale and Amy Adams relive their The Fighter days. With a fantastic cast and last year’s Silver Lining’s Playbook – another Toronto winner – O Russell could be walking away with a golden statuette.

We’ll be previewing every film’s Oscar chances – what it could and will win come February 2014 – in the build up to the big night, which, you’d be forgiven for forgetting, is still half-a-year away.

More pictures from 12 Years a Slave

Michael FassbenderFassbender in in 12 Years

Brad PittBrad Pitt - a huge name for a supporing cast member

Paul DanoPaul Dano is John Tibeats

Paul Giamatti
Paul Giamatti as Theophilus Freeman

Alfre Woodard
Alfre Woodard plays Mistress Harriet Shaw

Benedict Cumberbatch
Benedict Cumberbatch is William Ford