'12 Years A Slave', 'Gravity' big winners at BAFTA 2014 awards

London: British director Steve McQueen's slavery drama '12 Years A Slave' won two of the biggest awards at the BAFTA 2014 but it was Alfonso Cuaron's 3D space film 'Gravity' that dominated the ceremony by taking home six trophies.

'12 Years A Slave', an intimate and disturbing portrayal of slavery in America, won the best picture award while its lead star Chiwetel Ejiofor, 36, was named the best actor for his portrayal of a free man sold into slavery.

"There are 21 million people in slavery now as we sit here. I just hope that 150 years from now our ambivalence will not allow another film-maker to make this film," McQueen said. Ejiofor thanked his director for the win and said: "This is yours, I know that... you know that. I'm going to keep it, that's the kind of guy I am, but it's yours."

However, McQueen, 44, lost the best director trophy to 'Gravity' helmer Cuaron in the Sunday night awards gala. The Mexican director, 52, who has called London his home for 13 years, said his accent may be different but he considered himself a part of British film industry.

"I guess I make a very good case for curbing immigration," Cuaron joked, adding 'Gravity' would not have been possible without its leading lady Sandra Bullock. The space drama also won best British film, best cinematography, best sound, best original music and best special visual effects.

The award for leading actress went to Cate Blanchett for her portrayal of socialite on the verge of a meltdown after she loses her high-flying lifestyle in 'Blue Jasmine'. Blanchett, 44, did not mention film's director Woody Allen, who is facing allegation of molesting his adopted daughter, a case that has come to haunt him after two decades.

Blanchett paid tribute to "the late great Philip Seymour Hoffman", who died of a suspected drug overdose recently. "You raised the bar so very high... So, Phil, this is for you, you bastard. I hope you are proud," she said.

David O Russell's con-artist caper 'American Hustle' took three awards -- Jennifer Lawrence for best supporting actress, best original screenplay and best make-up and hair. Newcomer Barkhad Abdi was named best supporting actor for his portrayal of a Somali pirate in 'Captain Phillips'.

Disney's 3D film 'Frozen' took the award for animated film. Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee thanked the 600-strong cast and crew behind the production.

The BAFTA award for British short animation went to James Walker, Sarah Woolner and Yousif Al-Khalifa for 'Sleeping With the Fishes' and the award for British short film went to James W Griffiths and Sophie Venner for 'Room 8'.

'The Great Gatsby' won two awards for best production design and best costume design. Formula 1 film 'Rush' was given the best editing award. 'Philomena's Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope won in the best adapted screenplay section for adapting the book 'The Lost Child of Philomena Lee' by Martin Sixsmith. Director Peter Greenaway received an outstanding British contribution to cinema award.

Actress Helen Mirren was given BAFTA's highest accolade, a fellowship. Mirren, who has played Queen in a film and in a play, was handed over the award by none other than real Queen's grandson Prince William.

Giving her the fellowship he joked: "I should probably call her granny." The EE Rising Star award, which is voted by public, went to Will Poulter. Paolo Sorrentino's 'The Great Beauty', which is nominated in the best foreign film Oscar category, won the award for film not in the English language.

'The Act of Killing' won in the documentary section and its director Joshua Oppenheimer. The award ceremony paid tribute to Peter O' Toole, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Shirley Temple and Saul Zaentz, who all died recently.

BAFTA, which was hosted by Stephen Fry, was attended by Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Matt Damon and Christian Bale, Oprah Winfrey, Sandra Bullock, Amy Adams, Michael Fassbender, Steve Coogan, Sally Hawkins, Lupita Nyong'o, Daniel Bruhl, Emma Thompson, Bradley Cooper, Bruce Dern and Judi Dench.