Close on the heels of winning the Best Film award at the 67th British Academy Film Awards on Feb. 16, the epic drama "12 Years a Slave" won the top honors at the 45th annual NAACP Image Awards held in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday.
Meanwhile, actor and comedian Kevin Hart was declared the Best Entertainer of the Year for his performance in the television comedy series "Real Husbands of Hollywood."
Steve McQueen and John Ridley won the top honors for directing and writing "12 Years a Slave," respectively. Angela Bassett was awarded Outstanding Motion Picture Actress for "Black Nativity," while the Outstanding Motion Picture Actor award was presented to Forest Whitaker for his performance in "The Butler."
"I have so much admiration for the NAACP and what they've done, what they've accomplished and how they've changed the planet," Whitaker later told The Hollywood Reporter,
Lupita Nyongo took home the award for Best Supporting Actress for "12 Years a Slave," beating out Oprah Winfrey who appeared in "The Butler." The Best Supporting Actor award was presented to David Oyelowo for "The Butler."
The Outstanding Independent Motion Picture award went to "Fruitvale Station," while "War Witch" took away the honors for Outstanding International Motion Picture.
LL Cool J was awarded Outstanding Actor in a television drama series for his work in "NCIS: Los Angeles," telecast by CBS, while Kerry Washington won Outstanding Drama Series Actress for "Scandal," telecast by ABC. The Outstanding Comedy Series award was given to BET's "Real Husbands of Hollywood."
At the beginning of the awards ceremony, Beyonce and John Legend were presented with Outstanding Female Artist and Outstanding Male Artist, while K. Michelle was awarded Outstanding New Artist. Idris Elba was honored for his work in "America's Luther" on BBC.
Halfway through the award ceremony, Winfrey delivered an earnest tribute to the late South African president and anti-apartheid campaign leader Nelson Mandela.
She said: "He was everything we have all have heard and more. He was humble and he was unscathed by any kind of bitterness after all that we know he's been through."
Soon after Winfrey's heartfelt speech, Stevie Wonder paid a musical tribute to the legendary leader.
The program was hosted by Anthony Anderson and telecast live on TV One.
