Audiences tuned into the 89th Academy Awards expecting political drama – but it was the chaotic denouement, rather than criticisms of Donald Trump, that will live long in the memory.

Bonnie and Clyde duo Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty, announcing the award for Best Picture, initially declared hot favorite “La La Land” the winner.

But as the team behind the hit musical accepted the award on stage, it became apparent that “Moonlight”, directed by Barry Jenkins, was the actual winner.

It was one of the most dramatic – and awkward - moments in Oscar's history, but the ceremony will also be remembered for the diversity of the victors and underlying political tone. 

Moonlight, which tells the story of a black boy’s journey to adulthood through his rough upbringing in Miami and his homosexual relationship, grabbed three awards in total. As well as Best Picture, Mahershala Ali took home the Best Supporting Actor award and the film was also victorious in the Best Adapted Screenplay category. Ali is the first Muslim actor ever to win an Oscar. 

After last year’s #OscarsoWhite campaign reflected anger at the selection of the 2016 Oscar nominees, this year saw a diverse mix of winners. Black actress Viola Davis was named Best Supporting Actress for “Fences”, a film following the life of an African American worker who dreams of becoming a professional baseball player but is too old by the time the major leagues allow black players.

The widely-loved “La La Land” was also a big winner, dancing home with six statuettes. Damien Chazelle was named the Best Director, making him the youngest winner in the category in the history of the Academy. Emma Stone won Best Actress, but co-star Ryan Gosling lost out to Casey Affleck, star of the film “Manchester by the Sea”, for the Best Actor award.

US President Donald Trump wasn't at Hollywood's Dolby Theater, but he nevertheless loomed large throughout the ceremony.

Jimmy Kimmel, who hosted the awards for the first time, told the audience in his opening monologue that the show was being watched in “220 countries that now hate us.”

“I want to say thank you to President Trump. Remember last year when it seemed like the Oscars were racist...” joked Kimmel.

The host also called on Meryl Streep to stand for a standing ovation at the beginning of the ceremony, widely perceived as applause for her criticism of Trump at the Golden Globes.

Iranian director Asghar Farhadi, whose film “The Salesman” won the Best Foreign Language Film, made a powerful statement – via Iranian astronaut Anousheh Ansari.

"I'm sorry I'm not with you tonight," Ansari read. "My absence is out of respect for the people of my country and those of other six nations who have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the US."

It was Farhadi's second Oscar - he also won for 2011’s “A Separation.”

Earlier, the director sent a video message from Tehran to a crowd in London who gathered in Trafalgar Square to watch “The Salesman”, expressing his gratitude for people who showed up to support him.

The Best Animated Feature went to “Zootopia”, a film that was hugely popular in China. It took more than 1.5 billion yuan (220 million US dollars) at the box office within 45 days in China in 2016.

"Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”, J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter companion piece, won the Best Costume Design award. 

And there were many touching acceptance speeches, expressing delight, gratitude and political views. Here are some of the standout quotes: