Will Steve McQueen make history this Sunday?

Ealing born Steve McQueen has already had his hands on one major award - but can he now win Oscar as best director?

The 44 year old film maker who grew up 'near Ealing Studios', won a BAFTA for his highly praised ' 12 Years A Slave' - a brutal portrayal of slavery in 19th century America.

The film has been a front-runner for the coveted Oscar award since picking up a Golden Globe.

It's been nominated in 8 Oscar categories and is bound to pick up several awards. But it's the best director which will be most closely watched.

If Mr McQueen does win best director Oscar it will be an historic breakthrough for black film-makers: none has ever been honoured in this category and only two others have even been nominated – John Singleton in 1992 for Boyz n the Hood and Lee Daniels in 2009 for Precious.

The former Drayton Manor student is in a tough category up against Martin Scorsese and with Gravity director Alfonso Cuarón, appearing to be the current favourite.

• American Hustle (David O. Russell)
• Gravity (Alfonso Cuarón)
• Nebraska (Alexander Payne)
• 12 Years a Slave (Steve McQueen)
• The Wolf of Wall Street (Martin Scorsese)

Can he do it?

Let's wish our home grown Ealing 'talent' lots of luck!

What's your favourite film and are there any that haven't been nominated that you think should have been? Discuss on the forum..

26th February 2014