After making the history books with a staggering 14 American Academy® nominations, La La Land took home an impressive six awards on the night, including Best Director for Damien Chazelle, Best Actress for Emma Stone, Cinematography for Linus Sandgren, Original Score for Justin Hurwitz, Production Design for David Wasco and Sandy Reynolds-Wasco and Original Song (City of Stars by Justin Hurwitz, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul).
Yet despite being the firmest Best Picture favourite in years, that most coveted accolade eluded the musical hit, with the Academy® instead awarding the biggest honour of the night to Moonlight, for producers Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner and Adele Romanski.
But not, of course, before the shock and confusion of 'Envelopegate' - the saga that the 89th Academy Awards® will almost certainly be forever remembered for - with presenters Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty wrongly announcing La La Land as Best Picture winner. Cast and crew flooded the stage before the correction was made and the award was graciously handed over to its rightful recipients.
In addition to Best Picture, Moonlight scored two further wins in categories of Best Supporting Actor for Mahershala Ali and Best Adapted Screenplay for Barry Jenkins, shared with Tarell Alvin McCraney.
Mel Gibson’s big screen action picture Hacksaw Ridge didn't go unnoticed, scooping two gongs, for Film Editing for John Gilbert and Sound Mixing for Mackenzie, Wright, Kevin O’Connell and Peter Grace.
Martijn Meerstadt said: “Congratulations to everyone involved in making and releasing La La Land, Moonlight and Hacksaw Ridge. We are incredibly proud to be involved with three such outstanding productions that are so deserving of the Academy's recognition.”