The film The Imitation Game received eight Oscar nominations Thursday morning, including best picture and best adapted screenplay.

In the film, Benedict Cumberbatch (Star Trek Into Darkness, 12 Years a Slave, August: Osage County) plays Alan Turing, a brilliant mathematician who helped crack the German Enigma machine code – a triumph of computer science and a turning point for the Allies in World War II. After Turing acknowledged that he was gay, the British government sentenced him to two years of chemical castration. Turing is believed to have committed suicide.

The Imitation Game is considered a front-runner in the best picture category. Also nominated were American Sniper, Birdman, Boyhood, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Selma, The Theory of Everything and Whiplash.

Cumberbatch's performance earned him his first-ever best actor nomination. The Academy also recognized Keira Knightley, who plays cryptanalyst Joan Clarke in the film, handing her her second best supporting actress nomination.

The Lonely Island and out duo Tegan and Sara were nominated for their hit song Everything is Awesome, which is featured in The Lego Movie.

Out actor Neil Patrick Harris will host the 87th Academy Awards on ABC February 22.