The 86th Academy Awards Kicks Off

The Oscars, one of the biggest events on the film festival circuit, has just ended this year's run.

Zhang Ru has the details.

Reporter:

On March 2 local time, the 86th Academy Awards raised its curtains in Los Angeles. Bringing down many strong opponents, 12 Years A Slave won the best picture award at this year's Oscars.

(best picture announcement)

Based on a true story and directed by Briton Steve McQueen, it follows the life of Solomon Northup, a free black man in New York kidnapped and sold into slavery in Louisiana. This period drama also won the title of best adapted screenplay.

The best original screenplay prize went to the director of the film "Her", Spike Jonze.

However, it was still a big night for Alfonso Cuarón's Gravity. This white-knuckle space thriller took home 7 Academy Awards out of ten nominations, including best director, best visual efforts and best cinematography. The film, starring George Clooney and Sandra Bullock, won in many of the technical categories.

(Gravity movie clip)

The film's director Cuarón described shooting Gravity as transformative experience.

(Curason speech)

"Like any other human, ever make a film can be a transformative experience. And I want to thank Gravity. Because for many of us involved in this film, it was definitely a transformative experience. And it's good, because it took so long if it was not it would have been a waste of time. And what really sucks is that for a lot of these people, that transformation was wisdom but for me it was just the color of my hair!"

Matthew McConaughey was named as best actor for his portrayal of an Aids activist in Dallas Buyers Club, beating fellow nominees Christian Bale, Bruce Dern, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

And his co-star, Jared Leto won best supporting actor prize for his role as a transgender woman.

In an emotional speech, Jared Leto thanked his mother for teaching him to dream while dedicating the film to those who suffer from the disease.

(Leto)

"This is for the 36 million people out there who have lost the battle to Aids, and those of you who have ever felt injustice because of who you are, or who you love. Tonight, I stand in front of the world with you, and for you."

As for the ladies, Blue Jasmine star Cate Blanchett won her Oscar for best actress after beating off stiff competition from Amy Adams, Sandra Bullock, Judi Dench and Meryl Streep.

Meanwhile, Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong'o earned the title of best supporting actress for her performance in her debut film 12 Years a Slave.

("12 Years a Slave" clip)

Disney's blockbuster musical cartoon Frozen has been ruling the box office and was honored with the best animated feature award. Its tune, "Let it Go" won best original song.

("Let it Go")

The award for the best foreign language film was handed to Italian movie The Great Beauty without a hitch, having already pocketed awards at the Golden Globes, European Film and British Academy Film Awards.

("The Great Beauty" clip)

"Twenty Feet from Stardom" won for best documentary. And "The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life" won best documentary short.

The Great Gatsby won best costume and production design while the make-up and hairstyling award went to Dallas Buyers Club.