The British Academy Film Awards are presented in an annual award show hosted by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). It is often considered to be the British counterpart of the Academy Awards. As of 2008, it has taken place in Central London at the Royal Opera House, the latter having taken over from the flagship Odeon cinema on Leicester Square. The 67th British Academy Film Awards will take place on February 16, 2014. 

Today, the nominations for the BAFTA awards have been announced, and space drama Gravity starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney leads the pack of nominations with 11 total. According to the BBC, other nominees for the best British picture category include Rush and Saving Mr. Banks -- both of whom were nominated because they were either filmed in or around Britian, utilized British special effects companies, or contracted British talent (be it actors, writers, or producers). 

"Actress Helen McCrory, who announced the nominations, told the BBC it was important for Bafta to recognise British films separately. 'I think it's important we let the world know what we're doing here,' she said. 'We might have American actors in those leads, but this is British money, this is British craftsmanship and this is British investment. We should be incredibly proud and celebrate that,'" reports the BBC. 

The other films that received the most nominations, according to The Telegraph, are American Hustle and 12 Years a Slave (both with 10 nominations), Captain Phillips (with nine nominations), and Behind the Candelabra and Saving Mr. Banks (both with five nominations apiece).

Dame Judi Dench, who set a BAFTA record for most nominations (with 15 altogether), spoke to the BBC exclusively about her nominations. "I'm very proud to be associated with this film [Philomena] and I thank BAFTA voters for the nomination. I'm honored and thrilled to be in such fine company," Dame Judi said.