Manchester-Made Queer Short ‘Two Black Boys in Paradise’ Wins BAFTA
A Manchester-produced queer animated film has taken home one of Britain’s biggest film honors.
Two Black Boys in Paradise won the 2026 BAFTA Film Award for British Short Animation, marking a major milestone for the nine-minute stop-motion project.
The award was presented in London to filmmakers Ben Jackson, Baz Sells, and Dean Atta, whose original poem inspired the film.
A Five-Year Passion Project
Produced by Manchester-based studio One6th Animation, the short was filmed in the Cheetham Hill area and took five years to complete.
Jackson described the BAFTA win as “absolutely everything beyond my wildest dreams,” praising the dedication of the cast and crew who brought the project to life.
Since its release in November 2025, the film has already earned 22 international awards - but the BAFTA marks its most high-profile recognition yet.
A Story of Love and Self-Acceptance
Based on Atta’s poem There is (still) Love Here, the stop-motion short follows two Black teenagers, Edan and Dula, as they navigate love, identity, and self-acceptance.
The film explores themes of race, sexuality, homophobia, and belonging, telling the story of two young men determined not to hide their love as they search for a “paradise free from shame and judgement.”
Atta said he felt “incredibly proud of the whole team,” calling the journey of adapting his poem for the screen “the ride of a lifetime.”
A Landmark Moment for Queer British Animation
Director Baz Sells praised the crew’s perseverance, noting the many creative challenges overcome during production.
“The recognition is incredibly welcome because so many people worked so hard,” he said. “I’m so proud of Ben and Dean for bringing their stories to the screen.”
For Manchester’s growing film scene - and for queer British storytelling more broadly - Two Black Boys in Paradise’s BAFTA win represents both a cultural and creative breakthrough.
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