The Sunrise Theater will present a six-day run of the award-winning movie, "Milk," Feb. 26 through March 3.

The film was nominated for eight Oscars. Sean Penn, in the title role, took home the Oscar for Best Actor. Penn also won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Harvey Milk. The film also stars Allison Pill, Josh Brolin (Best Supporting Actor nominee), Emile Hirsch, and James Franco. Gus Van Zant was nominated for an Oscar as Best Director. Dustin Lance Black was awarded the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.

The film's official Web site summarizes the movie as follows:

In 1977, Harvey Milk was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, becoming the first openly gay man to be voted into public office in America. His victory was not just a victory for gay rights; he forged coalitions across the political spectrum. From senior citizens to union workers, Harvey Milk changed the very nature of what it means to be a fighter for human rights and became, before his untimely death in 1978, a hero for all Americans.

"Milk" charts the last eight years of Harvey Milk's life. While living in New York City, he turns 40. Looking for more purpose, Milk and his lover, Scott Smith, relocate to San Francisco, where they founded a small business, Castro Camera, in the heart of a working-class neighborhood. With his beloved Castro neighborhood and beautiful city empowering him, Milk surprises Scott and himself by becoming an outspoken agent for change.

With vitalizing support from Scott and from new friends like young activist Cleve Jones, Milk plunges headfirst into the choppy waters of politics. Bolstering his public profile with humor, Milk's actions speak even louder than his gift-of-gab words. When Milk is elected supervisor for the newly zoned District 5, he tries to coordinate his efforts with those of another newly elected supervisor, Dan White. But as White and Milk's political agendas increasingly diverge, their personal destinies tragically converge. Milk's platform was and is one of hope --a hero's legacy that resonates in the here and now.

This is the first in a series of upcoming Oscar-nominated films planned for March, including "Doubt" and "Slumdog Millionaire," which was chosen as Best Picture at Sunday night's Academy Awards.

The historical Sunrise Theater is located at 250 NW Broad Street in Southern Pines. Tickets for the evening shows are $7 for adults, $6 for matinees. The film is rated R and runs for two hours. This showing begins on Thursday, Feb. 26, and continues through Tuesday, March 3. Matinees are at 2:30 on Saturday and Sunday and each evening at 7:30. Refreshments, including beer and wine, are available. All Sunrise Theater movies are commercial-free.

For more information, contact the theater at (910) 692-3611 or www.sunrisetheater.com.