Oscar 2014 Predictions: Trailer and Poster Released For '12 Years A Slave; Will It Premiere At Venice? [Video]

The trailer to Steve McQueen's highly anticipated film "12 Years a Slave" has been released.

The film, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, and Brad Pitt, tells the story of Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, who is abducted and sold into slavery. A Baptist preacher William Ford becomes his first owner and he develops an "extraordinary friendship." However he eventually becomes the property of evil plantation owner Edwin Epps and his wife Mistress Epps.

Along with the trailer, Fox Searchlight also released the poster of the film which shows Ejiofor runner in profile against a white background. "12 years a Slave," which is slated for an October 18 release, is one of the most anticipated movies of the year and an awards contender. Most Oscar prognosticators have put the film at the top of their Academy Award nominations predictions and are calling it the front-runner. Additionally, Fassbender and Ejiofor have already garnered buzz for acting awards while McQueen is picking up momentum for directing. As a result pundits believe the movie will hit Venice and Toronto Film Festivals come August as a means of receiving early reviews, accolades and awards buzz.

McQueen has become one of the most esteemed directors after his first two acclaimed films. In 2008 he released "Hunger" which was considered one of the best films of the year and also participated in the Cannes Film Festival. In 2011, his second feature "Shame" was released and garnered rave reviews. It also became one of the most controversial movies of the year and obtained an NC-17 rating. The film however was featured at the Venice, Toronto and New York Film festivals where it was highly regarded by audiences.

"12 Years a Slave" also stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Sarah Paulson, Quvenzhane Wallis, Dwight Henry, Paul Dano, Michael K. Williams, Adepero Oduye, Ruth Negga, and Paul Giamatti and is rated R for violence/cruelty, some nudity and brief sexuality.