12 YEARS A SLAVE UNABLE TO DEFY GRAVITY AT THE 2014 BAFTA AWARDS

It was a contest between two ultimately different movies -- a 3D space disaster film and an unflinching portrayal of 19th-century American slavery -- and 12 Years a Slave was  unable to defy Gravity, which emerged as the biggest winner at the 2014 British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards night.

Gravity won six awards, including best director and best British film. But 12 Years a Slave unquestionably won the biggest prize, best film, with Chiwetel Ejiofor named as best actor.

American Hustle also bagged three awards.

Best Picture: 12 Years a Slave

Best Director: Alfonso Cuarón, Gravity

Best Actor: Chiwetel Ejiofor, 12 Years a Slave

Best Actress: Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine

Best Supporting Actress: Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle

Best Supporting Actor: Barkhad Abdi, Captain Phillips

Best Adapted Screenplay: Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope, Philomena

Best Original Screenplay: Eric Warren Singer and David O. Russell, American Hustle

Best British Film: Gravity

Best Documentary: The Act of Killing

Best Cinematography: Gravity

Best Animated Feature: Frozen

Best Editing: Rush

Best Music: Gravity

Best Production Design: The Great Gatsby

Best Costume Design: The Great Gatsby

Best Sound: Gravity

Best Hair & Make-Up: American Hustle

Best British Short Film: Room 8

Best British Short Animation: Sleeping with the Fishes

Outstanding British Debut: Kelly & Victor

BAFTA Rising Star: Will Poulter