Dame Donna Langley BAFTA Fellowship | Kent College, Canterbury

Kent College Alumna Dame Donna Langley Awarded BAFTA Fellowship

We are immensely proud to share that Dame Donna Langley, who attended Kent College Canterbury for Sixth Form, has been awarded the prestigious BAFTA Fellowship at the 79th EE British Academy Film Awards 2026 - the highest honour presented by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA).

Dame Donna’s journey from the Isle of Wight to the global stage is a powerful reminder of where ambition and passion can lead. Her early love of storytelling and film led her to study at Kent College, laying strong foundations for an extraordinary career in entertainment. Reflecting on her formative experiences, she has spoken of seeing films such as Diva (1981) and Le Grand Bleu (1988), saying, “Those experiences indelibly shaped my love of cinema forever.”

After her studies, she took a bold leap across the Atlantic - moving to Los Angeles with no industry contacts and starting out waitressing while exploring opportunities in film. Beginning in junior roles and learning the industry from the ground up, she steadily rose through the ranks to become Chair of NBCUniversal Entertainment.

Today, Dame Donna Langley is one of the most influential figures in global film and television. As Chair of NBCUniversal Entertainment, she oversees creative strategy, production and distribution across film and television for one of the world’s leading entertainment companies. Throughout her career, she has championed critically acclaimed, award-winning films and filmmakers, including Oppenheimer, Get Out and Les Misérables, alongside major global franchises such as Jurassic World and Fast & Furious.

Her influence has also been recognised beyond the film industry. She has been named by Forbes as one of the World’s Most Powerful Women, reflecting her global impact, leadership and lasting contribution to media and entertainment.

At the BAFTA ceremony, Dame Donna spoke powerfully about ambition, resilience and shaping the future. Reflecting on the importance of backing people and ideas, she reminded audiences that “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.” She also encouraged the next generation to embrace change, saying, “So, let us continue to adapt and be resilient and make room for new voices.” Her words offer an inspiring message to students at Kent College, highlighting the value of courage, openness and confidence in pursuing their own paths.

Her journey from the classrooms of Kent College to the heights of Hollywood is an inspiring example of what passion, vision and determination can achieve. We congratulate Dame Donna on this wonderful accolade - a moment of pride for the entire Kent College community.