BAFTA 2014 nominations: The biggest snubs and surprises

The nominations for the 2014 BAFTA Awards have been announced with 'Gravity' leading the field with 11 nominations. '12 Years A Slave' and 'American Hustle' each picked up 10 nods, with 'Captain Phillips' on 9. Read the full list of nominations here.

[Golden Globes 2014 nominations: Biggest snubs and surprises]

The awards, which take place on Sunday February 16 - are (sometimes) a good indicator for the Oscars – but what’s the big talking points from this year’s nominations?

'Gravity' is British?

It has a Mexican director, it stars American icons George Clooney and Sandra Bullock, and was largely funded by Warner Bros, yet 'Gravity' picked up a nomination for Best British Film. How?

The film's live action elements were shot at Pinewood and Shepperton using British crew. The impressive visual effects were powered by Framestore, a Soho-based post-production house, and the 3D conversion was handled by Prime Focus, another London-based film company, so of course the British Academy is going to claim it for the UK, even if the film (on the surface) is as American as apple pie.

Could it clean up on the night? Possibly, but don't write off slavery drama '12 Years a Slave' just yet.

See also: 'Saving Mr Banks' which surprisingly nabbed a Best British Film nod.

No sentimental nod for Idris Elba’s Mandela

Despite the Mandiba biopic picking up a nomination for Outstading British Film, the film's lead actors Idris Elba and Naomie Harris (who play Nelson and Winnie Mandela respectively) have both been overlooked despite both being hotly tipped for awards.

[Film blogger's misjudged Mandela tweet goes viral]

Elba, who is competing for the Best Actor at this Sunday's Golden Globes, has been edged out in the hotly contested lead actor category in favour of Chiwitel Ejiofor, Leonardo DiCaprio, Christian Bale, Bruce Dern, and Tom Hanks.

Could Oprah Win-frey?

The talk show host has been nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Lee Daniels' 'The Butler'. It's not her first nomination for the part, but it comes as some surprise after the film itself was overlooked in every other category.

The Golden Globes also ignored the historical tale of life behind the doors at the White House, so could Oprah's nod be a bid to draw the hugely influential actress and TV to the awards themselves? We'd never be as churlish to suggest so.

'Inside Llewyn Davis' momentum stalled

Seemingly destined for Oscar glory, the latest film from the Coen brothers has been largely overlooked by the British Academy in the major categories.

It picked up three nods in Original Screenplay, Best Sound, and Best Cinematography, but the Coens are sure to have expected more for the Cannes Grand Prix-winning film after it recently picked up a clutch of Best Film awards including one from the US Critics Circle on Sunday.

No room for Redford

Veteran actor Robert Redford will be competing for a Best Actor award at the Golden Globes (and likely the Oscars) for his one-man turn in sailing film 'All Is Lost', but he'll just be a spectator when it comes to the BAFTAs.

[Robert Redford embraced loneliness for 'All Is Lost']

The actor, who picked up a Best Actor gong at the New York Film Critics Circle Awards on Monday night, has been edged out in the highly competitive category. At least he’s in good company (see Idris Elba, above).

Liberace finally recognised

We’re glad Steven Soderbergh's 'Behind The Candelabra' picked up an impressive five nominations in total, including a Best Supporting Actor nod for Matt Damon who plays the flamboyant pianist's bisexual lover Scott Thorson, opposite Michael Douglas as Liberace.

The nominations are a vindication to the film's producers who struggled to get a theatrical release for the film in the States thanks to its graphic nature and controversial themes. It was ineligible for the Oscars, but has already won prizes at the Emmys in the US.

'Her' and 'Dallas Buyers Club' both snubbed

Despite huge awards buzz, both films failed to pick up a single nomination from the British Academy between them.

[Matthew McConaughey: How I turned my career around]

Spike Jonze's 'Her', which tells the story of a man's romance with an artificial intelligence, has been picking up awards momentum recently, but has been completely ignored by British Academy, ditto AIDS drama 'Dallas Buyers Club' which stars an emaciated Matthew McConaughey in the lead role.

Liza Minelli said she'd give McConaughey her Oscar if the Academy overlooked him - does she have a spare BAFTA too?

The winners of the 2014 BAFTAs will be revealed on Sunday February 16.