Dame Donna Langley Set to Receive Prestigious BAFTA Fellowship Award
Dame Donna Langley, the trailblazing first British woman to run a major Hollywood studio, has been announced as the recipient of the 2026 BAFTA Fellowship Award. The NBCUniversal chair of entertainment will be presented with this esteemed honour at the BAFTA Film Awards ceremony on February 22, in recognition of her outstanding and exceptional contributions to the film and television industry.
A Privileged Recognition from Home
Expressing her profound gratitude, Dame Donna stated: “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.” She emphasised that this achievement would not have been possible without the creative partners who have defined her career, noting that BAFTA remains the gold standard of excellence in the UK for film and television.
Dame Donna highlighted her pride in collaborating with numerous local artists who are shaping the future of the entertainment business, adding: “I feel lucky every day to be part of this community.”
Transformative Leadership and Sustained Commitment
The award acknowledges Dame Donna's transformative leadership amidst rapid industry change and disruption, along with her sustained commitment to inclusion and pipeline building. BAFTA has praised the strength of her relationships with creative partners who bring film and television projects to life, describing her as one of the most influential and respected figures in the entertainment sector.
Born on the Isle of Wight, Dame Donna arrived in Los Angeles approximately thirty years ago with no established contacts in the entertainment world. Today, she oversees creative strategy, business operations, production, acquisitions, marketing, and distribution across all NBCUniversal entertainment programming, marking a remarkable journey from humble beginnings to industry leadership.
Cultural Impact and Iconic Contributions
BAFTA chairwoman Sara Putt commented: “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.”
Dame Donna has been credited with championing critically acclaimed and commercially successful films such as:
- Straight Outta Compton
- Bridesmaids
- Get Out
- The Holdovers
- Oppenheimer (BAFTA best film winner)
Additionally, she has steered major franchises including:
- Wicked
- Fast And Furious
- Jurassic World
- Bridget Jones
- Mamma Mia
- Despicable Me
Previous Honours and Prestigious Legacy
In 2020, Dame Donna was appointed a dame by the late Queen as part of the New Year Honours list, further cementing her status in the industry. The BAFTA Fellowship has a distinguished history, with past recipients including:
- Dame Helen Mirren
- Mike Leigh
- Sidney Poitier
- Mel Brooks
- Sir Ridley Scott
- Thelma Schoonmaker
- Kathleen Kennedy
- Ang Lee
- Sandy Powell
- Samantha Morton
The most recent fellow was Warwick Davis, honoured at the 2025 BAFTA Film Awards. The 2026 ceremony, where Dame Donna will receive her award, will be broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Sunday, February 22, allowing audiences nationwide to witness this significant moment in British cinematic history.
