12 Years a Slave is a 2013 English-language Biography Drama film written by John Ridley and Solomon Northup. The movie is directed by Steve Mcqueen and produced by Anthony Katagas, Arnon Milchan, Bill Pohlad, Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner and Steve Mcqueen under the banner of Filmation Associates in collaboration with 20th Century Fox Television. In the antebellum United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. 12 years a slave stars Chiwetel Ejiofor in the lead role along with an ensemble cast including Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Paul Giamatti, Lupita Nyong'o and Sarah Paulson. The screenplay is written by John Ridley which is inspired from Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup. The music was composed by Hans Zimmer. Cinematography was done by Sean Bobbitt and editing by Joe Walker. The motion picture has a running time of 134 minutes. It was released on 19th December 2013 and it received positive reviews from critics when it was released and became successful at box office. 12 Years a Slave was made on a budget of $20 million and it was a super hit at box office gross of $187 million. Distribution rights for the film were acquired by Entertainment One. At the 2014 Oscar Awards It won 3 awards including: Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (Lupita Nyong'o), Best Motion Picture of the Year and Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay. In the antebellum United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery.