The Academy Award nominations were announced on Thursday, January 22, and Gus Van Sant’s Milk delivered with eight nominations, trailing in third place behind The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’s thirteen nominations and Slumdog Millionaire’s ten nominations. In addition to Best Picture, director Van Sant, actors Sean Penn and Josh Brolin, and writer Dustin Lance Black are all being recognized for their work.

This ties the 2005 film Brokeback Mountain’s record 8 nominations for an LGBT-themed film, and it almost mimics that film in categories nominated. Though a busy year for director Van Sant—he released his excellent Paranoid Park in March 2008—Milk’s supreme achievements and historic impact should prove a profound reward.

Milk is still playing in theaters across the U.S., so try to see it before the February 22nd airing of the Academy Awards on ABC.