STEVE McQueen's 12 Years A Slave continued its triumphant march towards next month's Oscars at the London Critics' Circle Film Awards last night.

Stars including Naomie Harris, John Hurt and Gary Oldman gathered in the May Fair hotel for the ceremony.

Film critic Jason Solomons opened the awards by paying tribute to late actor Philip Seymour Hoffman who was last year named best supporting actor by the circle for his performance in The Master.

McQueen's feature took film of the year, star Chiwetel Ejiofor was named best actor, and his co-star Lupita Nyong'o won best supporting actress.

Asked whose praise was most important to him, Director McQueen said : "My mum, my mum above all!"