Manchester-based animated film Two Black Boys in Paradise has been awarded the 2026 BAFTA Film Award for British Short Animation, celebrating its distinctive storytelling and impact within the short film industry.
Produced by One6th Animation, founded by Ben Jackson and Baz Sells in 2018, the nine-minute stop-motion film represents a passion project that took five years to complete, receiving widespread recognition with 22 international awards since its November 2025 release.
The film tells the story of Edan, nineteen, and Dula, eighteen, two young black boys navigating their journey toward self-acceptance, while addressing themes of race, sexuality, and identity through a lens of hope, empathy, and emotional resonance.
Jackson described the BAFTA win as “absolutely everything beyond [his] wildest dreams,” highlighting the dedication of everyone involved over half a decade, adding, “So for everyone involved, I’m just really proud and really happy.”
Poet and co-writer Dean Atta reflected on the experience, saying, “I’m glad we could bring so many people with us today to celebrate this journey, which has been the ride of a lifetime and I’m really grateful to Baz and Ben.”
Director Baz Sells commented that the recognition was a testament to the collective effort of a highly committed crew who overcame numerous challenges, allowing the team to bring the story to life and share it with a global audience.
Inspired by Atta’s poem There Is (Still) Love Here, the film explores the teens’ unabashed love and their refusal to hide their feelings, ultimately portraying a paradise free from shame and judgment, highlighting the celebration of queer black love.
Two Black Boys in Paradise exemplifies the impact of independent animation in addressing social themes with creative storytelling, combining artistic innovation, powerful narrative, and cultural representation to achieve recognition at the highest levels of the film industry.
