Oscars 2017: Academy offers apology on best picture announcement gaffe

Los Angeles: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has issued an apology for the best picture mix-up at the 89th Oscars ceremony. In a statement, the Academy said it deeply regretted the error made at the prestigious awards ceremony while giving away the best picture trophy.

Presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway received the wrong envelope and mistakenly announced "La La Land" as the winner, only for "Moonlight" to be revealed as the real winner.

"We deeply regret the mistakes that were made during the presentation of the Best Picture category during last night's Oscar ceremony. We apologise to the entire cast and crew of 'La La Land' and 'Moonlight' whose experience was profoundly altered by this error," the statement read.

"We salute the tremendous grace they displayed under the circumstances. To all involved - including our presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway, the filmmakers, and our fans watching worldwide - we apologise."

The statement said PricewaterCooperson, the accounting firm in charge of tabulating nominations and votes for the Oscars, has assumed full responsibility for the snafu.

"For the last 83 years, the Academy has entrusted PwC to handle the critical tabulation process, including the accurate delivery of results. PwC has taken full responsibility for the breaches of established protocols that took place during the ceremony."

The Academy said the matter is being investigated. "We have spent last night and today investigating the circumstances, and will determine what actions are appropriate going forward. We are unwaveringly committed to upholding the integrity of the Oscars and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences," it said.

Meanwhile, PwC has issued another apology where they have once again taken "full responsibility" for the goof-up. "PwC takes full responsibility for the series of mistakes and breaches of established protocols during last night's Oscars," the new statement read.

"For the past 83 years, the Academy has entrusted PwC with the integrity of the awards process during the ceremony, and last night we failed the Academy."

The accounting firm clarified that PwC partner Brian Cullinan "mistakenly handed the backup envelope for Actress in a Leading Role instead of the envelope for Best Picture to presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway" and once the error occurred, protocols for correcting it were not followed through quickly enough.