This week BAFTA announced that Dame Donna Langley, Chairman of NBCUniversal Entertainment, will receive the BAFTA Fellowship at the EE BAFTA Film Awards on Sunday 22 February 2026. The BAFTA Fellowship is the Academy’s highest honour, recognising an outstanding and exceptional contribution to film, games or television.
Born and raised on the Isle of Wight in the U.K., Langley is the first British woman to run a major Hollywood studio. More than thirty years on from arriving to Los Angeles with no industry contacts, today she oversees creative strategy, business operations, production, acquisitions, marketing, and distribution across all NBCUniversal entertainment programming.
The BAFTA Fellowship will be presented to Langley for her transformative leadership in the face of rapid change and disruption, sustained commitment to inclusion and pipeline building, and the strength of her relationships with creative partners who bring film and television to life, all of which have led her to become one of the most influential and respected figures in the entertainment industry.
Dame Donna Langley, said: “It is an incredible honour to be chosen as this year’s recipient of the BAFTA Fellowship. As a Brit, to be recognised by my home country, by my peers and fellow colleagues in the industry, is an absolute privilege. I wouldn’t be receiving this award without the indelible vision of the creative partners who have defined my career. BAFTA remains the gold standard of excellence in the U.K. for film and television, and I take great pride in working with so many local artists who are shaping the future of this business. I feel lucky every day to be part of this community.”
Sara Putt, BAFTA Chair, said: “The first British woman to lead a major Hollywood studio, Dame Donna Langley’s cultural impact has been exceptional. BAFTA is honoured to celebrate Donna’s transformative studio leadership, and strength of her creative relationships, including the many now-iconic films she has brought to audiences around the world. We are immensely looking forward to presenting her with the BAFTA Fellowship on 22 February.”
Langley has consistently served as an advocate for acclaimed and emerging filmmakers and showrunners, resulting in a diverse and enduring slate for NBCUniversal.
As a trusted partner to the creative community, she has championed films that have shaped culture, such as Straight Outta Compton, Bridesmaids, Get Out, The Holdovers, and BAFTA’s Best Film winner Oppenheimer, among many others. All while bolstering beloved franchises—including Fast & Furious, Jurassic World, Bridget Jones, Mamma Mia, and the highest-grossing animated franchise of all time, Despicable Me. Most recently, with Wicked becoming the highest-grossing film musical of all time, Langley has underscored her ability to translate creative ambition into landmark cultural and commercial success.
She also continues to champion bold, creator-driven shows such as All Her Fault and The Day of the Jackal, helping bring dynamic stories to life for audiences everywhere.
Throughout her career, Langley has maintained a strong commitment to, and investment in, British filmmaking. In recognition of her global impact, in 2020, Langley was awarded the Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (DBE) title by the Queen in her 2020 New Year’s Honour List.
Langley’s contributions and achievements go beyond the screen. She has consistently championed initiatives to widen access to careers in the screen arts. A passionate advocate for mentorship, she has been a part of the vanguard of change in Hollywood. As an Ambassador, she has served on Vital Voices’ Board of Directors since 2013, and as a result of her commitment to access and opportunity, she was recognized by Kering and Festival de Cannes with the Women in Motion honour in 2024.
BAFTA Fellows previously honoured for their work in film include Dame Helen Mirren, Mike Leigh, Sidney Poitier, Mel Brooks, Sir Ridley Scott, Thelma Schoonmaker, Kathleen Kennedy, Ang Lee, Sandy Powell and Samantha Morton. The most recent recipient of the BAFTA Fellowship was Warwick Davis last year at the 2025 EE BAFTA Film Awards.
