'12 Years a Slave' to be taught in US high schools

"12 Years a Slave" is coming to a school near you, thanks to a decision by the National School Boards Association to incorporate the Oscar-nominated movie into high school curricula across the country, TIME reports.

The Federation of Schools Boards is partnering with Penguin Books, New Regency and the producers of "12 Years a Slave" to distribute the film next fall along with a study guide and the 1853 memoirs that formed the basis of the movie.

The distribution of the film is being funded by Montel Williams, television personality and radio talk show host. Earlier, Williams led a similar movement for teaching "Glory," a film based on the Civil War, in schools.

"This gives high school teachers a lot of options, so they can decide how they can fit it in with the curricula they're teaching," NBSA Executive Director Tom Gentzel told TIME.

According to Gentzel, once the school districts receive the film, they will be able to decide for themselves how or if they want to teach it. However, he added: "[Slavery] is an important topic, and it's an opportunity they wouldn't have otherwise."

The move - slatted for September - is a dream come true for the film's director, Steve McQueen.

"Since first reading '12 Years a Slave' it has been my dream that this book be taught in schools," he said, expressing his gratitude to Williams as well as the NSBA for helping the dream become a reality.

"12 Years a Slave" is an American film that involves the story of Solomon Northup, a free black man from New York who is kidnapped and sold as a slave.

The movie won Best Feature Film at the 67th British Academy of Film and Television Arts awards earlier this month and has been nominated for the same category for the 86th Oscars, scheduled for March 2.

"I am immensely grateful to Montel Williams and the National School Boards Association for making this dream a reality and for sharing Solomon Northup's story with today's generation," McQueen said.