HURT LOCKER Producer’s Oscars Invitation Revoked

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) issued a statement late Tuesday announcing that, should Kathryn Bigelow’s The Hurt Locker win Best Picture, producer Nicolas Chartier would not be invited to receive the award with his colleagues.

According to the press release, Mr. Chartier engaged in campaigning activities the Academy deemed a violation of their rules for “casting a negative or derogatory light on a competing film” in communications he e-mailed to Academy voters and other members of the motion picture industry. In a special session Monday, the executive committee of the Academy’s Producers Branch ruled to rescind Mr. Chartier’s invitation to the 82nd Annual Academy Awards®, to be held Sunday, March 7, 2010, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood and Highland Center®. More information on this and other Academy Awards-related events can be found at AMPAS’ official site.