Dame Donna Langley Honoured with BAFTA Fellowship as Baftas Celebrate British Cinema
Dame Donna Langley was presented BAFTA’s highest accolade at the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards and told the audience, “We are facing moments of change and disruption today, ” a theme she threaded through remarks about the future of filmmaking. The ceremony also crowned Robert Aramayo, Jessie Buckley and the film One Battle After Another among its winners.
Dame Donna Langley receives the BAFTA Fellowship
Dame Donna Langley, NBCUniversal Entertainment’s chairman and the first British woman to run a major Hollywood studio, was handed a Fellowship prize at the BAFTA Film Awards in London. Prince William presented the prize and hailed her “tireless” advocacy for British storytelling and for championing movies that have “shaped culture. ” BAFTA said it was honoring Langley’s “transformative leadership in the face of rapid change and disruption” at NBCUniversal Entertainment, citing her role in films including Oppenheimer, Bridget Jones, and Straight Outta Compton.
Langley’s speech and reactions from filmmakers
Langley told the audience, “We are facing moments of change and disruption today. My hope is that those of us who help tell stories for a living continue to find inspiration to make popular art that carries over into people’s everyday lives – that helps us understand the world a bit better and to see each other a little more clearly…and reminds us that decency is a superpower. ” She added: “As we move forward, let’s remember the future of this business is not something that happens to us. It’s something we shape…by the risks we take and the people we back. So, let us continue to adapt, be resilient, and make room for new voices. ” Watch on Deadline
The studio veteran also said the most meaningful part of her career has been “the people we choose to support along the way. The voices we encourage. And the talent we protect…long enough for them to find their feet. And the doors we remember to open. ” The audience was shown a video reel of leading filmmakers Langley has worked with.
Steven Spielberg praised her as a “peacemaker” and “dealmaker, ” calling her a creative-rights advocate who champions movie theatres and new business and technology. Christopher Nolan said it was hard to imagine a more deserving Fellowship recipient, praising her filmmaker-friendly insight and leadership and saying she never loses sight of the audience.
Winners and standout moments
Robert Aramayo crowned a strong night for British cinema by taking both best newcomer and best actor awards at the 2026 Baftas. The film One Battle After Another took home best film. Hamnet also saw success, with Jessie Buckley winning best actress among its accolades. The ceremony took place at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall in London and was hosted for the first time by Alan Cumming.
Watch: Highlights and related clips
A highlights video titled "Watch: Highlights from the Baftas 2026" runs 00: 01: 54. A series of short videos listed as up next included: "What the killing of drug lord 'El Mencho' means for Mexico. " Video, 00: 01: 07; "Inside press briefing as Trump criticises Supreme Court tariffs ruling. " Video, 00: 00: 56; "Giant tortoises return to Galápagos island after nearly 200 years. " Video, 00: 00: 31; "Viral monkey Punch rejected by mother given stuffed orangutan. " Video, 00: 01: 22; "What happens next for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor?" Video, 00: 01: 00; "Watch: The day Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested. " Video, 00: 01: 14; "Why haven't more Americans faced charges in the Epstein case?" Video, 00: 01: 03; "Watch: Skier tells of 'panic' as avalanche hit Italian slopes. " Video, 00: 01: 23; "Lunar New Year 2026: Celebrations around the world. " Video, 00: 01: 29; and "Flying oranges: Italian town celebrates carnival with historic street battle. " Video, 00: 00: 30.
One page connected to the coverage displayed the message: "Just a moment... " with the instruction, "Click here if you are not redirected automatically. " A copyright notice accompanied the video content: "Copyright © 2026. The is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. "
History of the Fellowship and other notes
Previous BAFTA fellows named include Dame Helen Mirren, Sidney Poitier, Mel Brooks, Sir Ridley Scott, Thelma Schoonmaker, Kathleen Kennedy, and Ang Lee. The most recent recipient of the BAFTA Fellowship was Warwick Davis last year at the 2025 BAFTA Film Awards. Get our Breaking News Alerts and Keep your inbox happy. Comments On Deadline Hollywood are monitored; so don't go off topic, don't impersonate anyone, and don't get your facts wrong. Signup for Breaking News Alerts & Newsletters. By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy.
What comes next for the BAFTA calendar is unclear in the provided context.
