Isle Of Wight-Raised Dame Donna Langley Awarded BAFTA Fellowship

Isle of Wight-raised Dame Donna Langley has been presented with BAFTA’s highest honour, the BAFTA Fellowship, at tonight’s (Sunday's) ceremony in London.

The London born studio executive - who spent her formative years based in Ryde - received the prestigious accolade at the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards, held at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, recognising her outstanding contribution to film and television.

Dame Donna, who is Chair of NBCUniversal Entertainment, is the first British woman to lead a major Hollywood studio.

More than three decades after leaving the Isle of Wight to pursue a career in Los Angeles, she now oversees creative strategy, production and global distribution across one of the world’s largest entertainment portfolios.

The Fellowship – the highest award presented by BAFTA – was handed to Dame Donna by Prince William, who praised her tireless advocacy for British storytelling and her role in championing films that have shaped culture around the world.

In her acceptance speech, Dame Donna reflected on the challenges facing the industry, saying she hoped storytellers would continue to create work that helps audiences better understand the world and one another.

She also urged the industry to remain resilient, to take risks and to create space for new voices.

Throughout her career, Dame Donna has backed critically acclaimed and commercially successful films including Oppenheimer, Bridget Jones's Diary and Straight Outta Compton, working alongside some of the biggest names in global cinema.

Tributes were paid during the ceremony by leading filmmakers she has collaborated with, highlighting her leadership, creative insight and long-standing commitment to supporting talent both in front of and behind the camera.

Previous recipients of the BAFTA Fellowship include Dame Helen Mirren, Sidney Poitier and Sir Ridley Scott.

For the Isle of Wight, tonight’s recognition marks a proud moment, with one of the Island’s own honoured at the very highest level of the British film industry.