From left to right, The Hurt Locker screeenwriter Mark Boal, director Kathryn Bigelow, producer Greg Shapiro and Nicolas Chartier pose with British Film Academy Awards. (Joel Ryan/AP Photo) 

One of four producers of the acclaimed film The Hurt Locker, Nicholas Chartier, has admitted
to directly lobbying Oscar voters.

Chartier emailed a message on Feb. 19, which was obtained by The Associated Press, reading: "I hope you liked Hurt Locker. If you did and want us to win, please tell ... your friends who vote for the Oscars, tell actors, directors, crew members, art directors, special effects people, if everyone tells one or two of their friends, we will win and not a $500m film."

The "$500m film" is an obvious reference to Avatar, helmed by Canadian James Cameron, who happens to be the ex-husband of The Hurt Locker director, Kathryn Bigelow. Avatar and The Hurt Locker both have nine nominations.

Chartier, likely by accident, sent the email to his competitors, the producers of Inglourious Basterds and Avatar. The academy has rules that prohibit mailings that promote one film by casting a negative light on a competitor.

Chartier sent out an apology mid-week, saying his "naiveté, ignorance of the rules and plain stupidity as a first-time nominee is not an excuse."

Will Nicholas Chartier's email affect The Hurt Locker's chances for an Oscar? What do you think the Academy should do?
 
Read More

Comment below or take our poll:

(This poll is not scientific. It is based on readers' votes.)