British actors Helen McCrory, left, and Luke Evans pose for photographers ahead of the EE British Academy Film Awards Nominations announcement in London, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
January 08, 2014 - 2:57 AM
LONDON - Space thriller "Gravity" and unflinching slavery saga "12 Years a Slave" are among leading contenders for the Academy Film Awards, Britain's equivalent of the Oscars.
"Gravity" has nominations in 11 categories, including best picture and lead actress, for Sandra Bullock.
"12 Years" star Chiwetel Ejiofor and director Steve McQueen had 10 nominations, including for best picture.
Acting nominees announced Wednesday include Leonardo DiCaprio for "The Wolf of Wall Street" and Judi Dench for "Philomena."
The British prizes, known as BAFTAs, will be awarded at London's Royal Opera House on Feb. 16.
They are considered an indicator of likely success at Hollywood's Academy Awards two weeks later. Last year, Iran hostage drama "Argo" took the BAFTA for best film and the best-picture Oscar.
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Online: http://www.bafta.org
News from © The Associated Press, 2014