Dame Donna Langley, chairman of NBCUniversal Entertainment, will be awarded the BAFTA Fellowship, becoming the first Hollywood studio boss to receive the honor. The accolade recognizes her outstanding contributions to film and television and will be presented at the BAFTA Film Awards on February 22, 2026. Langley, a British native, has overseen major productions and fostered key industry relationships.
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has selected Dame Donna Langley for its highest honor, the BAFTA Fellowship. This marks the first time a Hollywood studio boss has received the award, which acknowledges exceptional contributions to film, games, or television. The presentation will occur during the BAFTA Film Awards ceremony on February 22, 2026, the same event where Universal’s Focus Features holds 11 nominations, including for "Hamnet."
Langley was appointed Dame by Queen Elizabeth in the 2020 New Year’s Honours List. Born and raised on the Isle of Wight in the United Kingdom, she arrived in Los Angeles more than 30 years ago without industry contacts. As the first British woman to lead a major Hollywood studio, she now manages creative strategy, business operations, production, acquisitions, marketing, and distribution for all NBCUniversal entertainment programming.
BAFTA cited Langley’s transformative leadership amid rapid industry changes and disruptions, her sustained commitment to inclusion and talent development, and the strength of her collaborations with creative partners. Under her guidance, the United Kingdom has become a key production hub for NBCUniversal, hosting films from the “Jurassic World” franchise and two “Wicked” titles. She has also built successful partnerships with British directors, including Christopher Nolan.
“It is an incredible honor to be chosen as this year’s recipient of the BAFTA Fellowship,” Langley said in a statement. “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.”
“The first British woman to lead a major Hollywood studio, Dame Donna Langley’s cultural impact has been exceptional,” said Sara Putt, BAFTA chair. “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.”
Previous BAFTA Fellows for film work 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 was Warwick Davis at the 2025 EE BAFTA Film Awards.
