BAFTA has announced that Dame Donna Langley, chairman of NBCUniversal Entertainment, will receive the BAFTA Fellowship at the EE BAFTA Film Awards on Sunday 22 February.
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 UK, Langley is the first British woman to run a major Hollywood studio.
More than 30 years on from arriving in 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”, BAFTA said, “all of which have led her to become one of the most influential and respected figures in the entertainment industry”.
Langley revealed: “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 UK 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, added: “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.”
More information is available on the BAFTA website.
