Alfonso Cuaron’s space thriller Gravity picked up the most awards at the BAFTAs in London on Sunday, including best British film and best director, though 12 Years a Slave was named best film.

Starring US actors Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, Gravity was also honoured for original music, best sound, visual effects and cinematography.

“You cannot tell from my accent but I consider myself a part of the British film industry,” said the Mexican Cuaron as he picked up his award.

The film’s nomination as best British film had been controversial, but it was filmed in Britain and the studio responsible for visual effects was based in London.

The British star of 12 Years , Chiwetel Ejiofor, was named best actor for his portrayal of a musician in 19th century America who is kidnapped and sold as a slave.

Ejiofor praised the film’s director Steve McQueen for his “artistry and passion” as he accepted the award. “You really brought us all through it and had the real vision to tell this extraordinary story,” he said.

The 1970s crime drama American Hustle won the gong for best original screenplay, with its Jennifer Lawrence also beating the hotly tipped Lupita Nyong’o of 12 Years to the best supporting actress award.

Cate Blanchett dedicated her best actress gong for the Woody Allen film Blue Jasmine to Philip Seymour Hoffman, who died earlier this month.

He was a “continual profound touchstone,” she said.

The ceremony took place at London’s Royal Opera House, and was presented by comedian Stephen Fry. Rapper Tinie Tempah and British soul singer Laura Mvula launched the proceedings with a duet.

Barkhad Abdi was named best supporting actor for his portrayal of a Somali pirate in Captain Phillips , while Will Poulter, the 20-year-old star of the comedy We’re the Millers , won the EE Rising Star award, the only one for which the public votes.

Jeff Pope and Steve Coogan were honoured for the best adapted screenplay for Philomena , about an Irish woman’s search for the baby she was forced to give up for adoption 40 years earlier.

Prince William, the academy’s President, presented British actress Dame Helen Mirren with the prestigious Fellowship award.

He joked as he did so that she was “an extremely talented British actress who I should probably call granny,” a reference to her portrayal of his grandmother in The Queen .

The Act of Killing — about Indonesian death squads who murdered thousands in the 1960s — was named best documentary, while The Great Beauty , an Italian drama about an aging socialite, won the award for best film not in the English language.

The Great Gatsby picked up gongs for production design and costume design, while Frozen was named best animated film.

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