“Decency Is a Superpower”: Donna Langley Receives BAFTA Fellowship, Touting Cinema’s Power to Help Us “See Each Other More Clearly”

Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment The star-studded BAFTA Film Awards 2026 ceremony in London on Sunday also put a spotlight on Donna Langley , chair of NBCUniversal Entertainment and the first British woman to run a major Hollywood studio. The top executive, born and raised on the Isle of Wight in the U.K., took to the stage to receive the British Academy’s highest honor, the BAFTA Fellowship , to a standing ovation before highlighting cinema’s power to bring people together. “We are … facing moments of change and disruption today,” Langley said. “And 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.” Related Stories Movies 'KPop Demon Hunters' Singing Voice Stars Get BAFTA Awards Grooving With "Golden" Movies BAFTA Film Awards Winners Unveiled (Updating Live) Langley also shared that her parents helped her “see differences as a strength and not a weakness.” She continued: “As my career has progressed, I’ve come to believe that the most meaningful part of what we do is 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.” Langley ended with a call to action. “As we move forward, let’s remember the future of this business is not something that happens to us,” she emphasized. “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.” Prince William introduced Langley, lauding, among other things, her “determination and commitme...