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BAFTA-nominated 'Two Black Boys in Paradise' isn’t just an awards story. It’s a five-year journey that turned a deeply personal poem about Black queer love into stunning, handcrafted stop-motion.

From reimagining Eden to solving in-camera water reflections, the team built a world where holding hands becomes an act of defiance, self-acceptance, and liberation that mirrored its creators' own lived experiences.

We spoke to poet Dean Atta, whose work is adapted for the short, and producer-writer Ben Jackson about how love, collaboration, and self-acceptance shaped one of the year’s most powerful animated shorts.

Full feature linked in bio.
#animation #animatedshort #bafta #stopmotion

We are proud to OFFICIALLY announce that TWO BLACK BOYS IN PARADISE has been BAFTA nominated!

We’d like to take this moment to point this recognition towards our incredible teams; on set, at home and behind the scenes - making this film would not have been possible without their creativity, dedication and support.

Our film was driven by a collective motivation to do justice to Dean Atta’s vital poem. That motivation inspired us through a highly ambitious five year production and remains the same motivation we share today.

Our sincere thanks goes to everyone who has championed TBBIP since it’s release - the response has been deeply moving and to receive this recognition from @bafta is a dream come true.

-

Cast:
Narrator: @jordanfstephens
Edan & Dula Non-verbal Sounds: @arunblair

Crew:

Director: @bazsells
Co-screenwriters: @bazsells , @deanatta,
@germanbenjack
Poem by: @deanatta
Producer: @germanbenjack

Exec Producers:
@deanatta
Aoife Hayes

Supervising DOP: Ben Jones
Co-DoPs:
@kevinpaulstudio
@bazsells
@jonathan_garvey

Tech’ Director: @jonathan_garvey
Mo-Co: @jonathan_garvey

Camera and Lighting Assistant: @annticlimatic_art

Key Animators:
@turtlesdream
@recursive_clutter
@anna.pearson.animation

3D Character Animation:
@duncanrudd

Animators:
Bob Skrzynski
Fabrice Pieton
@samuelvcarson
@suz_e74

Art Director: @sanna_rasanen_

Production Designers:
@thelornz
@sanna_rasanen_

Modelmakers:
@sanna_rasanen_
@thelornz
@brightgreenworkshop
@danii__squishy
@maddiebranagan.art
@karlaengstromart
@crooky.monster

Puppets:
@sanna_rasanen_
@diane_dwyer_design
@laura_wijngaard_costume
Mark Thompson
@pauldaviesarts
@grae_makes_puppets
@bethb.makes

Peacock: @andybellart

Armatures:
@archmodelstudio
@djanimationuk

3D sculpted coral, 3D mouth & blink designs & print @rebzfx

Storyboards: @aviascheltsbrown

Edit: @samhodgeeditor

Colourist: @nedeem_colour

VFX & Comping:
@affixxius
Andy Kiernan
@elioteden

Sound & Music: @picturesonix

Composers:
@jasperdent
@griga01

Sound & Music Exec’ Producer: @akareyldn

Re-recording Mixer: @alex_bird_audio

Orchestrator: Tristan Noon

Vocals: @amiebluu

Supported by the @britishfilminstitute awarding National Lottery Funds

Today's Oscar-qualified short is 'Two Black Boys in Paradise,' directed by Baz Sells and produced by One6th Animation Studio.

Adapted from Dean Atta’s poem of the same name, this stop-motion short follows Edan and Dula as they navigate love, identity, and belonging. Its handcrafted aesthetic and symbolic visuals offer a tender, immersive portrait of queer Black adolescence.

Made over five years by a dedicated and collaborative team, 'Two Black Boys in Paradise' stands out as a heartfelt celebration of vulnerability, belonging, and self-acceptance.
#animation #stopmotion #animatedshort #lgbtq🌈 #oscars #academyawards

NEW WORK!Go behind the scenes on our latest commercial work made in collaboration with BBH London and The Sweetshop.

Handmade over 12 weeks, our stop-motion scenes capture the push and pull of modern living; from chaotic commuting to late night computing, we visualise the hidden pressures felt by a miraculous multitasking matriarch.

Watch the Ad in full @bbhblacksheep

A big thanks to everyone involved!

ANIMATION

Director: @bazsells
Producers: @bazsells, @germanbenjack

Art Director: @sanna_rasanen_
Associate Producer: @lewkdavies
DoP & MoCo: Ben Jones
Animators: @anna.pearson.animation, @sam_rhys_turner
MoCo Supplier: @displacement1
Storyboards: Ash Kumar
CG Eyes: @duncanrudd
Compositing: Mark Pickles

Sets and Props: @darklane_studios

@_katearthur_
@frankie.tonge.art
@andybellart

Puppets: @mackandsaund

Company Director : @mackandsaund
Company Secretary: Sasha Dickson

Accountants: Karen Farrell
Production Manager: Steve Levinshon
Production Assistant: @marshall_flinders, @viking._.princess
Workshop Supervisor: @richardpickersgill
Digital Sculpt: @bethjupe
Digital Support and Applied Imaging:@anthonylfallows, @skeletonbob
Sculpt & Mould Making: Noel Estevez-Baker
Armature: @frankie.tonge.art, @artfoil
Costume:- Barbara Biddulph
Silicone: @tinkertoys72, @emilyjmills
Paint: @pauldaviesart
Wig: @sanna_rasanen_
Additional Costume: @andybellart

AGENCY

Creative agency: @bbhblacksheep

Executive creative director: Jon Chapman
Creative director: Alistair Robertson
Medical writers: Rameez Pervaiz, Jonida Ramekaj

Design director: Olive Tebby
Senior motion designer: Seb Camilleri
Managing partner: Clementine Gait
Business lead: Dia Chilintan
Account director: Laura Walsh
Account manager: Kirsty Campbell-Birkett
Senior strategist: Mary Parker
Strategy director: Sabrina Anderson
SVP, Social Excellence: Brian Mook
Agency Film producer: Lisa Nicholls

LIVE ACTION

Production company: @thesweetshopfilms

Director: Reinaldo Marcus Green
DOP: Stuart Bentley
EP: @morganmwhitlock
Producer: Theo Youngstein
Editor/s: Billy Mead
Edit House: TenThree
Post: @rascalstudio_
Post producer: Callum O’Brien
EP: Jenna Le Noury
Colourist: James Bamford

We’re thrilled to share that TWO BLACK BOYS IN PARADISE has won BEST BRITISH SHORT ANIMATION at the London Int’l Screenwriting & Film Festival.

LISFF is a part of the London Independent Story Prize (LISP). A Community Interest Company that prioritises the interests of writers and filmmakers and seeks to build a community that embraces multicultural differences, bold voices, unique writers, and extraordinary artistic approaches to storytelling.

On behalf of the TBBIP team, big thanks to @londonisp for this recognition!

__

Cast:

Narrator: @jordanfstephens
Edan & Dula Non-verbal Sounds: @arunblair

Crew:

Director: @bazsells
Co-screenwriters: @bazsells , @deanatta,
@germanbenjack
Poem by: @deanatta
Producer: @germanbenjack

Exec Producers:
@deanatta
Aoife Hayes

Supervising DOP: Ben Jones
Co-DoPs:
@kevinpaulstudio
@bazsells
@jonathan_garvey

Tech’ Director: @jonathan_garvey
Mo-Co: @jonathan_garvey

Camera and Lighting Assistant: @annticlimatic_art

Key Animators:
@turtlesdream
@recursive_clutter
@anna.pearson.animation

3D Character Animation:
@duncanrudd

Animators:
Bob Skrzynski
Fabrice Pieton
@samuelvcarson
@suz_e74

Art Director: @sanna_rasanen_

Production Designers:
@thelornz
@sanna_rasanen_

Modelmakers:
@sanna_rasanen_
@thelornz
@brightgreenworkshop
@danii__squishy
@maddiebranagan.art
@karlaengstromart
@crooky.monster

Puppets:
@sanna_rasanen_
@diane_dwyer_design
@laura_wijngaard_costume
Mark Thompson
@pauldaviesarts
@grae_makes_puppets
@bethb.makes
@mediatutorkaty

Peacock: @andybellart

Armatures:
@archmodelstudio
@djanimationuk

3D sculpting designs & print @rebzfx

Storyboards: @aviascheltsbrown

Edit: @samhodgeeditor

Colourist: @nedeem_colour

VFX & Comping:
@affixxius
Andy Kiernan
@elioteden

Sound & Music: @picturesonix

Composers:
@jasperdent
@griga01

Sound & Music Exec’ Producer: @akareyldn

Re-recording Mixer: @alex_bird_audio

Orchestrator: Tristan Noon

Vocals: @amiebluu

Production Assistant: @wheeler__jess

Artistic Researcher: @chioma.the.hedgehog

Supported by the @britishfilminstitute awarding National Lottery Funds

We’re proud to share that TWO BLACK BOYS IN PARADISE has WON the International Shorts AUDIENCE AWARD and JURY’S SPECIAL MENTION at the 41st Lovers Film Festival, Torino.

The Lovers Festival finds in cinema its ideal language to develop its own story, bringing to Turin films and authors from all over the world: stories that cross relationships and gender identities, always offering to the public new and plural points of views about the present

On behalf of the TBBIP team, sending our heartfelt thanks to the @loversff audience and jury for honouring our film with this recognition.

__

Cast:

Narrator: @jordanfstephens
Edan & Dula Non-verbal Sounds: @arunblair

Crew:

Director: @bazsells
Co-screenwriters: @bazsells , @deanatta,
@germanbenjack
Poem by: @deanatta
Producer: @germanbenjack

Exec Producers:
@deanatta
Aoife Hayes

Supervising DOP: Ben Jones
Co-DoPs:
@kevinpaulstudio
@bazsells
@jonathan_garvey

Tech’ Director: @jonathan_garvey
Mo-Co: @jonathan_garvey

Camera and Lighting Assistant: @annticlimatic_art

Key Animators:
@turtlesdream
@recursive_clutter
@anna.pearson.animation

3D Character Animation:
@duncanrudd

Animators:
Bob Skrzynski
Fabrice Pieton
@samuelvcarson
@suz_e74

Art Director: @sanna_rasanen_

Production Designers:
@thelornz
@sanna_rasanen_

Modelmakers:
@sanna_rasanen_
@thelornz
@brightgreenworkshop
@danii__squishy
@maddiebranagan.art
@karlaengstromart
@crooky.monster

Puppets:
@sanna_rasanen_
@diane_dwyer_design
@laura_wijngaard_costume
Mark Thompson
@pauldaviesarts
@grae_makes_puppets
@bethb.makes
@mediatutorkaty

Peacock: @andybellart

Armatures:
@archmodelstudio
@djanimationuk

3D sculpting designs & print @rebzfx

Storyboards: @aviascheltsbrown

Edit: @samhodgeeditor

Colourist: @nedeem_colour

VFX & Comping:
@affixxius
Andy Kiernan
@elioteden

Sound & Music: @picturesonix

Composers:
@jasperdent
@griga01

Sound & Music Exec’ Producer: @akareyldn

Re-recording Mixer: @alex_bird_audio

Orchestrator: Tristan Noon

Vocals: @amiebluu

Production Assistant: @wheeler__jess

Artistic Researcher: @chioma.the.hedgehog

Supported by the @britishfilminstitute awarding National Lottery Funds

Deeply grateful to the @stopemotionvenice jury for this statement on TBBIP.

A jury made up by stop-motion filmmakers who themselves have created some of our favourite stop-motion films to date (@michaelgranberry / @matteoburani_official / @izabela.plucinska.71 ) 🙏🏼

A lovely bit of news from the weekend as TWO BLACK BOYS IN PARADISE director @bazsells won the BEST DIRECTION AWARD at Stop e-Motion Film Festival, Venice.

Stop e-Motion (SeM) Days was created to strengthen the cultural landscape of Mestre and Venice through a unique international event dedicated to stop-motion.

We’re humbled to be recognised by those in our stop-motion community, alongside many filmmakers we admire. A massive thanks to @stopemotionvenice, the SeM the jury (@matteoburani_official, @michaelgranberry, @izabela.plucinska.71) and everyone involved in this brilliant festival.
__

Cast:

Narrator: @jordanfstephens
Edan & Dula Non-verbal Sounds: @arunblair

Crew:

Director: @bazsells
Co-screenwriters: @bazsells , @deanatta,
@germanbenjack
Poem by: @deanatta
Producer: @germanbenjack

Exec Producers:
@deanatta
Aoife Hayes

Supervising DOP: Ben Jones
Co-DoPs:
@kevinpaulstudio
@bazsells
@jonathan_garvey

Tech’ Director: @jonathan_garvey
Mo-Co: @jonathan_garvey

Camera and Lighting Assistant: @annticlimatic_art

Key Animators:
@turtlesdream
@recursive_clutter
@anna.pearson.animation

3D Character Animation:
@duncanrudd

Animators:
Bob Skrzynski
Fabrice Pieton
@samuelvcarson
@suz_e74

Art Director: @sanna_rasanen_

Production Designers:
@thelornz
@sanna_rasanen_

Modelmakers:
@sanna_rasanen_
@thelornz
@brightgreenworkshop
@danii__squishy
@maddiebranagan.art
@karlaengstromart
@crooky.monster

Puppets:
@sanna_rasanen_
@diane_dwyer_design
@laura_wijngaard_costume
Mark Thompson
@pauldaviesarts
@grae_makes_puppets
@bethb.makes
@mediatutorkaty

Peacock: @andybellart

Armatures:
@archmodelstudio
@djanimationuk

3D sculpting designs & print @rebzfx

Storyboards: @aviascheltsbrown

Edit: @samhodgeeditor

Colourist: @nedeem_colour

VFX & Comping:
@affixxius
Andy Kiernan
@elioteden

Sound & Music: @picturesonix

Composers:
@jasperdent
@griga01

Sound & Music Exec’ Producer: @akareyldn

Re-recording Mixer: @alex_bird_audio

Orchestrator: Tristan Noon

Vocals: @amiebluu

Production Assistant: @wheeler__jess

Artistic Researcher: @chioma.the.hedgehog

Supported by the @britishfilminstitute awarding National Lottery Funds

We are proud to announce that TWO BLACK BOYS IN PARADISE has won the GRAND JURY AWARD: BEST ANIMATED SHORT at Sonoma International Film Festival, USA.

The Sonoma International Film Festival provides a welcoming, entertaining, and inspiring cinematic experience that supports and promotes independent films and celebrates the cultural diversity in the Sonoma Valley through the art of film. They are dedicated to enriching visual arts programs in the Sonoma Valley and beyond.

Our heartfelt thanks go to the jury and programmers at @sonomafilmfest for embracing and celebrating TBBIP.

__

Cast:

Narrator: @jordanfstephens
Edan & Dula Non-verbal Sounds: @arunblair

Crew:

Director: @bazsells
Co-screenwriters: @bazsells , @deanatta,
@germanbenjack
Poem by: @deanatta
Producer: @germanbenjack

Exec Producers:
@deanatta
Aoife Hayes

Supervising DOP: Ben Jones
Co-DoPs:
@kevinpaulstudio
@bazsells
@jonathan_garvey

Tech’ Director: @jonathan_garvey
Mo-Co: @jonathan_garvey

Camera and Lighting Assistant: @annticlimatic_art

Key Animators:
@turtlesdream
@recursive_clutter
@anna.pearson.animation

3D Character Animation:
@duncanrudd

Animators:
Bob Skrzynski
Fabrice Pieton
@samuelvcarson
@suz_e74

Art Director: @sanna_rasanen_

Production Designers:
@thelornz
@sanna_rasanen_

Modelmakers:
@sanna_rasanen_
@thelornz
@brightgreenworkshop
@danii__squishy
@maddiebranagan.art
@karlaengstromart
@crooky.monster

Puppets:
@sanna_rasanen_
@diane_dwyer_design
@laura_wijngaard_costume
Mark Thompson
@pauldaviesarts
@grae_makes_puppets
@bethb.makes
@mediatutorkaty

Peacock: @andybellart

Armatures:
@archmodelstudio
@djanimationuk

3D sculpting designs & print @rebzfx

Storyboards: @aviascheltsbrown

Edit: @samhodgeeditor

Colourist: @nedeem_colour

VFX & Comping:
@affixxius
Andy Kiernan
@elioteden

Sound & Music: @picturesonix

Composers:
@jasperdent
@griga01

Sound & Music Exec’ Producer: @akareyldn

Re-recording Mixer: @alex_bird_audio

Orchestrator: Tristan Noon

Vocals: @amiebluu

Production Assistant: @wheeler__jess

Artistic Researcher: @chioma.the.hedgehog

Supported by the @britishfilminstitute awarding National Lottery Funds

Popped into @courtauld to see the inspiration behind my poem and the @bafta-winning animation from @one_6th, Two Black Boys in Paradise, streaming now on @channel4

Lucas Cranach the Elder, Adam and Eve, 1526, oil on panel, Courtauld Gallery, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust)

__

Cast:

Narrator: @jordanfstephens
Edan & Dula Non-verbal Sounds: @arunblair

Crew:

Director: @bazsells
Co-screenwriters: @bazsells , @deanatta,
@germanbenjack
Poem by: @deanatta
Producer: @germanbenjack

Exec Producers:
@deanatta
Aoife Hayes

Supervising DOP: Ben Jones
Co-DoPs:
@kevinpaulstudio
@bazsells
@jonathan_garvey

Tech’ Director: @jonathan_garvey
Mo-Co: @jonathan_garvey

Camera and Lighting Assistant: @annticlimatic_art

Key Animators:
@turtlesdream
@recursive_clutter
@anna.pearson.animation

3D Character Animation:
@duncanrudd

Animators:
Bob Skrzynski
Fabrice Pieton
@samuelvcarson
@suz_e74

Art Director: @sanna_rasanen_

Production Designers:
@thelornz
@sanna_rasanen_

Modelmakers:
@sanna_rasanen_
@thelornz
@brightgreenworkshop
@danii__squishy
@maddiebranagan.art
@karlaengstromart
@crooky.monster

Puppets:
@sanna_rasanen_
@diane_dwyer_design
@laura_wijngaard_costume
Mark Thompson
@pauldaviesarts
@grae_makes_puppets
@bethb.makes
@mediatutorkaty

Peacock: @andybellart

Armatures:
@archmodelstudio
@djanimationuk

3D sculpted coral, 3D mouth & blink designs & print @rebzfx

Storyboards: @aviascheltsbrown

Edit: @samhodgeeditor

Colourist: @nedeem_colour

VFX & Comping:
@affixxius
Andy Kiernan
@elioteden

Sound & Music: @picturesonix

Composers:
@jasperdent
@griga01

Sound & Music Exec’ Producer: @akareyldn

Re-recording Mixer: @alex_bird_audio

Orchestrator: Tristan Noon

Vocals: @amiebluu

Production Assistant: @wheeler__jess

Artistic Researcher: @chiomathehedgehog

Supported by the @britishfilminstitute awarding National Lottery Funds

We are proud to announce that TWO BLACK BOYS IN PARADISE has won BEST ANIMATED SHORT at the London Director Awards!

The London Director Awards focuses on the work of film directors, recognising the best projects that showcase strong directorial vision. Each year, the festival highlights the finest British filmmakers while also curating a culturally diverse program featuring projects from around the world and every continent.

A massive thanks to the @londondirectorawards for this honour, we are delighted to see TBBIP and director @bazsells recognised by the LDA jury!

__

Cast:

Narrator: @jordanfstephens
Edan & Dula Non-verbal Sounds: @arunblair

Crew:

Director: @bazsells
Co-screenwriters: @bazsells , @deanatta,
@germanbenjack
Poem by: @deanatta
Producer: @germanbenjack

Exec Producers:
@deanatta
Aoife Hayes

Supervising DOP: Ben Jones
Co-DoPs:
@kevinpaulstudio
@bazsells
@jonathan_garvey

Tech’ Director: @jonathan_garvey
Mo-Co: @jonathan_garvey

Camera and Lighting Assistant: @annticlimatic_art

Key Animators:
@turtlesdream
@recursive_clutter
@anna.pearson.animation

3D Character Animation:
@duncanrudd

Animators:
Bob Skrzynski
Fabrice Pieton
@samuelvcarson
@suz_e74

Art Director: @sanna_rasanen_

Production Designers:
@thelornz
@sanna_rasanen_

Modelmakers:
@sanna_rasanen_
@thelornz
@brightgreenworkshop
@danii__squishy
@maddiebranagan.art
@karlaengstromart
@crooky.monster

Puppets:
@sanna_rasanen_
@diane_dwyer_design
@laura_wijngaard_costume
Mark Thompson
@pauldaviesarts
@grae_makes_puppets
@bethb.makes
@mediatutorkaty

Peacock: @andybellart

Armatures:
@archmodelstudio
@djanimationuk

3D sculpting designs & print @rebzfx

Storyboards: @aviascheltsbrown

Edit: @samhodgeeditor

Colourist: @nedeem_colour

VFX & Comping:
@affixxius
Andy Kiernan
@elioteden

Sound & Music: @picturesonix

Composers:
@jasperdent
@griga01

Sound & Music Exec’ Producer: @akareyldn

Re-recording Mixer: @alex_bird_audio

Orchestrator: Tristan Noon

Vocals: @amiebluu

Production Assistant: @wheeler__jess

Artistic Researcher: @chioma.the.hedgehog

Supported by the @britishfilminstitute awarding National Lottery Funds

Market crates built for Two Black Boys in Paradise.

Cut, textured, painted and assembled for @one_6th.

#stopmotion #modelmaking #behindthescenes #artdepartment #setbuilding