Lupita wins Kenya's first Oscar

Nominee for Best Actress in "Gravity" Sandra Bullock speaks to the media as she arrives on the red carpet at the 86th Academy Awards on March 2nd, 2014 in Hollywood, California. Gravity, starring Bullock and George Clooney has won the award for Best Visual Effects. AFP/PHOTO

What you need to know:

  • Host Ellen DeGeneres opened with a monologue making fun of the storms which hit California on the eve of the Oscars, threatening to rain on the pre-show red carpet parade.
  • Jared Leto fulfilled expectations by taking the first prize of the night, the best supporting actor Oscar for his heart-wrenching portrayal of a transgender woman suffering from AIDS in "Dallas Buyers Club."

HOLLYWOOD,

Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong'o has won the best supporting award and for her performance in '12 Years As a Slave'.

The harrowing historical drama "12 Years a Slave" by British director Steve McQueen won the coveted best picture Oscar on Sunday, at the climax of the 86th Academy Awards beatng eight fellow nominees -- "American Hustle," "Captain Phillips," "Dallas Buyers Club," "Gravity," "Her," "Nebraska," "Philomena," and "The Wolf of Wall Street" to the award.

The 86th Academy Awards show kicked off Sunday, as Hollywood's finest gathered after one of the fiercest Oscars races in years, with no clear frontrunner for the coveted best picture prize.

"12 Years a Slave," 3D space thriller "Gravity" and 1970s crime caper "American Hustle" were hotly tipped to take the top prizes at the Oscars, the climax of Tinseltown's annual awards season.

Host Ellen DeGeneres opened with a monologue making fun of the storms which hit California on the eve of the Oscars, threatening to rain on the pre-show red carpet parade.

"It's been a tough couple of days for us here. It has been raining," she said, addressing the global audience. "We're fine. Thank you for your prayers," she dead-panned.

She then made fun of Jennifer Lawrence, who famously fell while walking up to the stage last year to collect her best actress Oscar -- and stumbled again as she arrived for Sunday's show.

"If you win tonight, I think we should bring you the Oscar," DeGeneres said.

While the best picture winner is difficult to forecast, other categories could be easier to predict.

Actor Jared Leto accepts the Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role award for 'Dallas Buyers Club' onstage during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, California. PHOTO/AFP

Jared Leto fulfilled expectations by taking the first prize of the night, the best supporting actor Oscar for his heart-wrenching portrayal of a transgender woman suffering from AIDS in "Dallas Buyers Club."

"Mr. Hublot" took the Oscar for Short Animated Film.

'Frozen' crowns Disney revival with Oscar gold. Disney Animation has never won an Oscar for best animated feature - a failing that was remedied Sunday when it won for critical and box office hit "Frozen."

(L-R) Producer Peter Del Vecho, directors Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck accept the Best Animated Feature Film award for 'Frozen' onstage during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, California. PHOTO/AFP

Gravity, starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney has won the award for Best Visual Effects. The movie has banked a second Oscar for Best Sound Mixing.

"Helium" takes the Oscar for best Short Film - Live Action. According to its directors, it "is a movie that celebrates fantasy and how kids create imaginary worlds. It's a beautiful thing to do to ease pain."

Oscar winners for Best Short Film Live Action "Helium" Anders Walter and Kim Magnusson arrive on the red carpet for the 86th Academy Awards on March 2nd, 2014 in Hollywood, California. AFP/PHOTO

The award for best foreign movie went to "The Great Beauty".

Italian director Paolo Sorrentino, (R) nominated for his film "The Great Beauty" poses with Mexico-born director Alfonso Cuarón, nominated for his film "Gravity," at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). Both their films have won oscars in their respective categories. AFP/PHOTO

"Twenty Feet From Stardom," a film on back-up singers has won the best documentary feature Oscar. It is a story about the back-up singers whose voices are familiar but whose faces and names are barely known.

Cate Blanchett the favourite for best actress for her turn in Woody Allen's "Blue Jasmine," took home the best actress award.

Actress Cate Blanchett attends the Oscars held at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, California. Cate Blanchett the favourite for best actress for her turn in Woody Allen's "Blue Jasmine," took home the best actress award. PHOTO/AFP

While Matthew McConaughey took home the best actor award for his role as homophobic HIV-positive AIDS activist Ron Woodroof in "Dallas Buyers Club."

Oscar award winner for Best Actor in "Dallas Buyers Club" Matthew McConaughey (c) with mother Mary Kathlene (L) and wife Camila Alves arrives on the red carpet for the 86th Academy Awards on March 2nd, 2014 in Hollywood, California. AFP/PHOTO