The Academy Of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Releases Official Statement On Best Picture Confusion

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the body that both votes on and hosts the Academy Awards, has released an official statement about last night’s confusion during the presentation of the award for Best Picture, which ultimately went to Moonlight.

After presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway were given an incorrect envelope, the Best Picture winner was briefly believed to be La La Land, which was the awards-season frontrunner for Best Picture. The confusion was born out of the fact that the envelope handed to Beatty was for Best Actress, an award that La La Land‘s Emma Stone had won moments before.

The Academy’s statement apologizes to the producers of both films, whose Oscar night experiences were tarnished by the mix-up, as well as to the audience. PricewaterhouseCoopers, the accounting firm responsible for tabulating the votes and keeping the results secure all the way to the stage, took responsibility for the error, and while the Academy stopped short of saying that they were in the market for a new firm, they acknowledged that they were goign to “determine what actions are appropriate.”

You can see the full statement below:

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

“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. 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.”

Ultimately, those involved in both La La Land (which won six Academy Awards last night) and Moonlight (which won two, including Best Picture) have been magnanimous thus far, praising the others’ film and the Academy’s handling of the embarrassing mistake on social media and in interviews.