'Two Black Boys in Paradise' acclaimed for depiction of joyful queer Black love on screen

An award-winning and BAFTA-nominated animated short film, "Two Black Boys in Paradise," is earning widespread acclaim for its profound and joyful portrayal of queer Black love. Based on a compelling poem by Dean Atta, the stop-motion film chronicles the tender love story between its central characters, Eden and Dula, offering a vital contribution to inclusive storytelling.

The creative team behind the production asserts their deliberate intent to illuminate "queer, Black love through a lens of joy", as reported by the BBC. Executive Producer Ben Jackson articulated the film's core mission, stating, "We really wanted to show all aspects of queer love and queer Black love are to be celebrated." He emphasized that a primary theme woven throughout the narrative is the journey of self-acceptance and the triumph over shame, a message they were resolute not to censor.

The completion of the Manchester-produced film was a five-year endeavor, described by Jackson and Director Baz Sells as a "genuine passion project." Jackson, now 40, revealed that the inspiration for the film stemmed from his personal struggles with his sexuality, having come out at the age of 30. "After coming out, I was still struggling quite a bit with self-acceptance," he admitted, explaining his decision to embark on a queer film project as a catalyst for speaking "more openly and more proudly" about his identity.

The nascent idea solidified upon hearing Dean Atta (who later joined as an executive producer) perform his poem, "Two Black Boys in Paradise." A particular line resonated deeply with Jackson's own journey: "'they are in love with each other and they are in love with themselves.'" He lauded the poem as "beautifully written and very important."

Director Baz Sells, 40, who co-founded One6th Animation with Jackson seven years ago after meeting at film school, highlighted the distinctive qualities of stop-motion animation as an ideal medium for Atta’s work. "Dean’s poem has such striking imagery and moves through various emotional spaces quite rapidly," Sells noted. He explained that the genre’s "disarming quality" and tactile nature enable the exploration of significant "social, political stories" and "difficult places in terms of subject matter" with nuance and impact.

The 18-month filming process, conducted in Cheetham Hill, Manchester, presented its share of technical challenges. Sells recounted the arduous underwater scene, which yielded only about 12 frames per day – equating to a mere half-second of footage – due to the complexity of animating water and the delicate nature of the silicone puppets in freezing conditions. Despite these hurdles, Sells affirmed, "It was a really challenging shot, but equally one of the most beautiful shots of the film. It was absolutely worth it."

Their meticulous efforts have been significantly rewarded during the film festival circuit. "Two Black Boys in Paradise" has garnered top honors at 19 festivals, including Oscar-qualifying distinctions at the Woodstock Film Festival in New York and BAFTA-qualifying recognition at the Thessaloniki Animation Festival and Encounters Film Festival. A particularly poignant win was "Best of British" at the Manchester Animation Festival, a full-circle moment for Sells, who once volunteered there. The film's critical reception further solidified with its nomination for Best British Short Animation at the 2026 BAFTAs and a nomination for Best British Short Film at the upcoming British Independent Film Awards.

For Ben Jackson, the creative journey has profoundly impacted his personal path to self-acceptance. "The film has given me that, which is amazing," he reflected. He shared a powerful personal evolution: "When I was younger, every opportunity I got to make a wish, I used to wish that I was straight… And now I would never wish anything like that. It seems so horrible to me now because I have such a beautiful relationship with my boyfriend – imagine if one of those wishes had worked and I wasn't with him now."

As "Two Black Boys in Paradise" continues its journey, with Oscar and BAFTA qualification secured, its creators anticipate an exciting future, confident in the enduring power of their film to inspire and celebrate the multifaceted beauty of queer Black love.