Alfonso Cuaron’s space thriller Gravity was nominated for 11 BAFTAs on Wednesday, just beating 12 Years a Slave and American Hustle, which each received 10.

Gravity star Sandra Bullock is up for leading actress while Cuaron is nominated for best director.

The film’s raft of other nominations included sound and special effects while it is also competing against Steve McQueen’s slave epic, the comedy-drama Hustle, Captain Phillips and Philomena for the best film title.

In the leading actress category, Bullock will be challenged by Judi Dench and Emma Thompson for Philomena and Saving Mr Banks, respectively, as well as Hustle star Amy Adams and Cate Blanchett for Blue Jasmine.

Chiwetel Ejiofor, the British star of 12 Years a Slave, was nominated for leading actor for the awards presented annually by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts and immediately became the bookmakers’ favourite.

“I continue to be immensely proud of the recognition this film is getting around the world,” Ejiofor said. “There is, of course, something particularly special about receiving a BAFTA nomination from home.” He is competing against Leonardo di Caprio for the Wolf of Wall Street, Hustle’s Christian Bale, Tom Hanks for Captain Phillips and Bruce Dern for Nebraska.

The Liberace love story 'Behind the Candelabra', which was not released in US cinemas and so was ineligible for film awards there, also received five nods, including Matt Damon for supporting actor.

But there was disappointment for Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, which received one nomination for outstanding British film while The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug received two and The Great Gatsby three.

Blue is the Warmest Colour, The Great Beauty, Metro Manila, Wadjda and The Act of Killing were all nominated for the best non-English language film.

The awards ceremony is to take place February 16 in London.

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