Lupita Nyong’o wins another US film award

By George Orido

Los Angeles, USA: Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o has added yet another feather to her cap by winning one more award.

The National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP) awards were announced at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in California USA.

The Hollywood actress grabbed the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for her work in 12 Years a Slave.

She beat Oprah Winfrey in The Butler as well as her co-star Alfre Woodard, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom’s Naomie Harris and Fruitvale Station’s Octavia Spencer.

The film, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, is a story based on former South African President Nelson Mandela’s autobiography of the same title, which chronicles his early life, coming of age, education and 27 years in prison before becoming President and working to rebuild the country.

“It has been a historic year in film for all of us in this room, and I am so proud to be a part of that history,” said Lupita adding that it was such an honor to be recognised for a film that has meant so much to so many people, a film that has inspired discourse long overdue.

Image Awards

Also known as the Image Awards, the NAACP Awards celebrate the accomplishments of people of colour in film, television, music and literature.

12 Years a Slave, directed by Steve McQueen, was a winner too, bagging the most Outstanding Motion Picture.

The flick is based on a moving true story of one man – Solomon Northup’s fight for survival and freedom after being abducted by slave traders in upstate New York, pre-Civil War.

Forest Whitaker in Lee Daniel’s The Butler won Outstanding Actor, and Angela Basset went home with the Outstanding Actress award.

Whitaker’s co-actor David Oyelowo won the Outstanding Supporting Actor award.

Lupita’s win keeps her the favourite for the Oscars to be announced this Sunday.

Her fellow nominees for the Best Actress in a supporting role for the 86th edition of the Oscars include Jennifer Lawrence in American Hustle, Julia Roberts in August: Osage County, June Squib in Nebraska and Sally Hawkins in Blue Jasmine.

12 Years a Slave is looking forward to nine awards at the Oscars this year.