Imelda Staunton, who plays the lead role in the film about abortion, is in the running for the best actress prize.
Spanish film-maker Pedro Almodovar's latest movie Bad Education is tipped for seven prizes, including best director and best screenwriter.
Three awards will be determined by the votes of cinema-goers across Europe.
Directors Bernado Bertolucci, Almodovar and Richard Curtis - responsible for comedies Love Actually and Notting Hill - are nominated for the popular director's prize.
People's prize
Film fans across Europe have placed Colin Firth, Colin Farrell and Hugh Grant on the shortlist for best actor.
German star Daniel Bruehl, who scooped the best actor trophy for his role in Goodbye Lenin last year, is also nominated for the people's prize.
In the jury award, British actress Staunton is up against Penelope Cruz, who is nominated for her role in Italian language film Non Ti Muovere.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Michael Moore's documentary Fahrenheit 9/11 are in the running for best non-European film.
British recipients of European Film Awards in recent years have included Kate Winslet for Iris (2002), and Ben Kingsley for Sexy Beast in 2001.
In 2000, singer Bjork won both the jury and popular awards for her role in gritty film Dancer In The Dark.
In 2002, the female stars of French film Huit Femmes accepted the best actress prize collectively.
The first European Film Awards took place in 1988, and are staged by the European Film Academy.